Abrar Ahmed ruled out of the Boxing Day Test

The visitors, Pakistan’s injury woes went from bad to worse on Sunday (December 24), with mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed ruled out of the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) after failing to recover from his injury. 

Ahmed missed their 360-run defeat in Perth with leg discomfort, and while improving, he has not recovered sufficiently to participate in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.

"Considering the nature of the injury and the workload required from a spinner in a Test match, Abrar is not yet ready and will therefore not be available for the second Test," the Pakistan Cricket Board said.

"He will undergo a preliminary fitness test on December 25, which will determine his probable return-to-play date."

It follows fellow spinner Noman Ali being hospitalised with acute appendicitis and ruled out of the rest of the three-match series. PCB announced that all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been roped in as a replacement. 

Pace bowler Khurram Shahzad is another injury casualty, sidelined for the last two Tests with a stress fracture in the ribs along with an abdominal muscle tear after impressing on his debut in Perth.