Shadab Khan ruled out of first Test against New Zealand over leg injury

AUKLAND: Shadab Khan has been ruled out of the first Test against New Zealand due to a thigh injury after the third T20 match.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the news and stated that Shadab Khan’s MRI scan will be done in Tauranga tomorrow following which a further update on the “exact nature of the injury and time needed to return to competitive cricket will be provided.

As per the PCB, Shadab will not be available for, at least, the Test at Mount Maunganui. Zafar Gohar has replaced Shadab Khan as part of the squad. He has joined the Test side from Hamilton where he was preparing with the squad for Sunday’s T20 match against the Northern Knights.

Moreover, the injured Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq have started batting. Both the players started batting ten days after the injury. The medical panel of the national cricket team is continuously reviewing the injuries of both the players. The doctor of the Pakistan cricket team in New Zealand is satisfied with the recovery of the injured ones.

The first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand will start on 26th December at Mount Maunganui. The squad will play their first T20 match on 27th December against New Zealand in Hamilton.