AUS vs PAK 2023: Pakistan pacer Khurram Shahzad suffers injury scare ahead of 2nd Test

Khurram. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Pakistan suffered a thrashing at the hands of Australia as they lost the first of the three-match Test series by a massive margin of 360 runs at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

The Asian giants will look to bounce back strongly when they face the World Test Champions in the second Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, which will begin on Tuesday, December 26. However, the Shan Masood-led side has suffered an injury scare as pacer Khurram Shahzad, who made his international debut in the first Test, was taken for an MRI scan after he complained of pain in his left side during the match.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informed the same through a statement. They have stated that their medical team will look into the reports of the scan and reveal further details about the condition of Shahzad.

“Following his complaint, after the Test match, Khurram was sent for an MRI scan. PCB will share further details in due course, after medical panel assess the MRI reports,” the cricket-governing body mentioned in its statement.

Khurram Shehzad’s MRI report still awaited, Pakistan’s Test win draught continues

The 24-year-old had a decent outing in his debut Test. In the first innings of the series opener, he picked up the big wickets of Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh. The former Australia captain was his first Test wicket. In the second innings, the right-arm seamer bagged the wickets of David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Smith, to finish with match figures of 5/128.

The good thing for Pakistan is that there is still some time left before the start of the second Test. Therefore, if Shahzad’s MRI report doesn’t bring out anything too worrisome, he could feature in the big game that starts on Boxing Day. Pakistan are yet to win a Test match in Australia since their 74-run triumph in Sydney in 1995. The ‘Men in Green’ have also not been able to avoid a series defeat Down Under since the 1978-79 tour. Masood and Co. will look to change that but their mental toughness is going to be tested after the shellacking in Perth.