Abrar Ahmed ruled out of Perth Test vs Australia due to knee injury

Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has been ruled out of the first Test against Australia in Perth, starting December 14. Abrar injured his knee during Pakistan's game against Prime Minister's XI but will continue his rehabilitation with the squad. While he has not been ruled out of the series, off-spinner Sajid Khan has been called up as cover.

He will undergo treatment in Perth, and his fitness will be reassessed ahead of the Boxing Day Test. "During an assessment by the medical team, a provisional diagnosis was made - justifying an MRI scan, which was done on the same day," a PCB release stated. 

"Abrar will undergo an intervention in Perth on Monday, after which conservative rehabilitation under the supervision of the team's medical staff, will continue his road to recovery.

"He has not been ruled out of the Test series yet, but keeping the player's wellbeing in mind for this and future tours, further assessment before the second Test will ascertain his availability on this tour," the release added.

After the first Test in Perth, the action shifts to Melbourne for the second Test on December 26 and will conclude in Sydney, where the third and final Test will be played. 

Pakistan have won just four Tests in Australia, the last of which came in 1995. Since then, they have lost 14 matches in a row.