Pakistan suffers double blows, Abbas, Shadab out of first Test against South Africa

Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas and leg-spinner Shadab Khan will not be available for Pakistan in the first Test against South Africa, scheduled to play at Centurion on  December 26.

“After assessing both Leg-spinner Shadab Khan and Fast Bowler Mohammad Abbas, the Pakistan team management has agreed that the two are not fit for the first Test match against South Africa,” said PCB in a statement.

“Both Shadab and Abbas have made great progress recently and are improving every day,” the statement added.

The duo will continue with their current Rehabilitation Program as well as their Return to Play Program.

The team management is positive that Shadab and Abbas will be available for selection for the second Test in Cape Town that begins on January 3.

Teams:

Pakistan (from)

Sarfraz Ahmed (captain/wkt), Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah

South Africa (probable)

Faf du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Theunis de Bruyn, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Duanne Olivier