Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan ruled out of the ongoing Test series against New Zealand after sustaining a thigh injury in the final T20I against black caps in Napier. He will also miss the upcoming home series against South Africa next month.
Khan already missed the first Test which started at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on December 26 and now he has ruled out of entire Test series against Kiwis.
Undoubtedly it will be a massive blow for the visitors. Their regular captain Babar Azam has already missed the entire T20I series and first Test against New Zealand after sustaining a thumb injury while practising in nets.
The 22-year-old needs a few weeks to recover fully, which means he will miss the upcoming 2 Test and 3T20Is at home against South Africa next month.
Khan led Pakistan in the 3 T20Is against New Zealand in place of the injured Babar Azam. After losing the first two matches, the men in green bounced back to win the third T20I and gained momentum ahead of the Test series.
Shadab Khan Will Start His Rehabilitation in New Zealand
According to scans, Khan will be sidelined for several weeks.
“The MRI reports have confirmed it is a fresh injury and not the one that had sidelined him from the Zimbabwe series last month,” Pakistan team doctor Sohail Saleem said in a statement.
“Shadab will undergo a six-week rehabilitation programme during which he will have weekly ultrasound scans.
After the competition of the six-week period, the medical panel will access and evaluate the injury before making a call on Shadab’s return to competitive cricket.”
Notably, South Africa will tour Pakistan next month for the first time in 13 years to play two tests and three Twenty20 Internationals.