Pakistan’s first Test against Australia in Perth begins on December 14. The second Test will get underway on December 26 at the MCG while the final Test will be played at the SCG from January 3.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have suffered a big blow before the start of their much-anticipated Test series in Australia after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that they will miss the services of a key leg-spinner in the first Test against Australia in Perth, beginning 14 December.

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Leg spinner Abrar Ahmed was ruled out of the series opener in Perth due to a knee injury. Abrar’s availability was in doubt after he left the field, feeling severe pain in his right leg during Pakistan’s only warm-up match against Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra last week.

“Abrar will undergo an intervention in Perth on Monday, after which conservative rehabilitation under the supervision of the team’s medical staff, will continue his road to recovery. He has not been ruled out of the test series yet, but keeping the player’s wellbeing in mind for this and future tours, further assessment before the second test will ascertain his availability on this tour,” a statement from PCB said.

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Meanwhile, chairman of the selection committee Wahab Riaz on the request made by the team management, has approved the name of off-spinner Sajid Khan as a backup to bolster their spin attack. Sajid will travel to Perth once his travel arrangement is finalised.

Pakistan squad for Australia Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

 

Australia’s First Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, and David Warner.

Here’s the schedule for the Test series against Australia

1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium
2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)