Left arm had to undergo surgery for appendicitis. The PCB says it’s doing fine
Daniel Rasool
Pakistan’s bowling absentee list continues to swell, with Noman Ali the latest to be ruled out of the series. He was diagnosed with acute appendicitis after complaining of “sudden and severe” abdominal pain, according to a statement issued by the PCB. Scans confirmed the diagnosis and he spent Friday night in hospital.
Noman underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy this morning, a surgery that was deemed successful. The PCB said he was stable and doing well and is expected to be discharged in the afternoon.
Noman was included in the initial squad to tour Australia as back-up spinner to Abrar Ahmed. However, Abrar picked up an injury in the tour game which ruled him out of the first Test held last week. he is unlikely to appear in the rest of the series. The PCB flew in Sajid Khan as cover, although he arrived too late to allow him to take part in Perth.
Pakistan therefore lined up in the first Test without a specialist spinner, with Agha Salman taking on offspin duties. Although the PCB did not hint that Noman was unfit at the time, Pakistan team manager Mohammad Hafeez said after the Test loss that he had a finger injury that prevented him from fielding and batting and therefore could not to play.
Pakistan are currently playing on the second day of a two-dayer at the Junction Oval in Melbourne against a Victoria XI side. Noman did not feature in the first day’s play and Sajid was the only offspinner used by Pakistan on the second day during Victoria XI’s innings.
Noman’s injury means Sajid is the only specialist spinner Pakistan have in their ranks whose fitness is not in doubt. With Pakistan expected to field a spinner for the second Test, his inclusion looks almost assured. Pakistan’s fast bowling stock has also been hit hard, with Khurram Shahzad ruled out of the series two days earlier with a stress fracture in his ribs. Naseem Shah is recovering from a long-term injury while Haris Rauf has refused to take part in this series.
These absences were partly why Pakistan went in with two fast bowling debutants in Aamer Jamal and Shahzad. They also have Mir Hamza, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jnr in their ranks.
The second Test begins on December 26 at the MCG.
Danyal Rasool is ESPNcricinfo’s Pakistan correspondent. @Danny61000