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Friday December 27, 2024

Pak vs Eng: What's the update on Naseem Shah's availability for third Test

Pakistan's young pacer Naseem Shah misses second Test against England in Multan due to shoulder niggle

By Sports Desk
December 10, 2022
Pak vs Eng: Whats the update on Naseem Shahs availability for third Test

Pakistan seamer Naseem Shah, who became unavailable for the second Test match against England in Multan after a shoulder niggle, is likely to be declared fit to play the third Test in Karachi.

The young pacer has resumed bowling practice, indicating his probable availability for the final match, slated to start on December 17.

Naseem's availability is crucial for Pakistan as the side already lacks the stars of its bowling attack, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who were also ruled out due to injury.

Shaheen suffered a knee injury last month in the T20 World Cup final, and is undergoing rehabilitation for it. Whereas Rauf, who made his Test debut, was also dropped from the ongoing Test series due to a quad strain.

Pakistan were all out for 202 in the second test against England in Multan on Saturday, conceding a first-innings lead of 79 on day two of the contest.

Babar Azam (75) and Saud Shakeel (63) scored half-centuries for the home side.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach was pick of the English bowlers claiming 4-98.

England, on their first test tour of Pakistan since 2005, won the series opener in Rawalpindi by 74 runs.

England spinner Jack Leach dismissed Pakistan's middle-order batsman Saud Shakeel for his 100th Test wicket.

After Robinson broke the 91-run third-wicket partnership between Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel, Pakistan's innings never recovered.

Faheem Ashraf was the final Pakistani hitter to be struck out, scoring 22 runs in only 31 balls.

Leach, who recorded figures of 4-98, was England's preferred bowler. Each of Mark Wood and Joe Root took two wickets.

It should be mentioned that on the first day of the second Test, England was bowled for 281 in the first innings.

Abrar Ahmed, a debutant from Pakistan, bowled well against England on Friday, taking seven wickets.

The 24-year-old, who goes by the nickname "Harry Potter" among his mates because of his glasses, worked his own brand of magic to finish with a score of 7-114.

The key run scorers during England's innings, which was completed at the stroke of tea after captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat, were Ben Duckett (63) and Ollie Pope (60).

After winning the first Test in Rawalpindi by a score of 74 runs, England, who are on their first tour of Pakistan since 2005, are up 1-0 in the three-match series.