Pakistan is expected to make significant changes to its lineup for the second Test against Australia in Melbourne on December 26. Sources indicate that due to injuries, paceman Khurram Shahzad, wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed, and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf won’t be playing in the match.
Sarfaraz, who struggled in the first Test, scoring only seven runs and missing opportunities behind the stumps, is likely to be replaced by Mohammad Rizwan.
Faheem Ashraf, who had a modest performance in Perth, might make way for spinner Sajid Khan, and either Mir Hamza or Hasan Ali could replace the injured Khurram Shahzad.
Khurram Shahzad, who made his debut in the previous Test and took five wickets, is ruled out for the rest of the series due to a stress fracture and abdominal muscle tear.
Pakistan faced a heavy defeat in the first Test, collapsing for 89 in the fourth innings while chasing a target of 450. The team was penalized for a slow over-rate, resulting in a fine and the deduction of two ICC World Test Championship points.
Looking ahead, Pakistan plans to play a two-day practice match against Victoria on December 22-23 before the second Test. The Australia squad for the upcoming match includes players like Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, and David Warner, while Pakistan’s squad, led by Shan Masood, features key players such as Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The team aims to bounce back from its disappointing performance in the first Test and put up a better show in the second encounter of the three-Test series.
