In a setback for the Pakistan cricket team, left-arm mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed will miss the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand due to an incomplete recovery from an injury, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.
The leg-spinner had reported discomfort in his right leg during the third day of the practice match against Prime Minister’s XI last month. Despite bowling 27 overs and securing the wicket of Marcus Harris, Abrar missed two consecutive Test matches, resulting in Australia securing the series.
Ahmed, who is returning home, will continue his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy Lahore.
To fill the void left by Ahmed's absence, left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz has been released from the Test squad and is now gearing up for the T20 series.
Nawaz will join three other players, Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf, and Osama Mir, as they will commence preparations for the series in Auckland, having arrived there on January 5th.
The quartet will initiate practice sessions alongside other squad members in Auckland.
The inaugural T20 International between Pakistan and New Zealand is scheduled to take place on January 12th in Auckland.
The absence of Abrar Ahmed will certainly be felt, and the team will be relying on the newly-formed T20 squad to deliver strong performances in the series against New Zealand.
Reporter: Ahmad Raza