Tauranga: Spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan will miss the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch and the home series against South Africa after being advised a six-week rest by Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical staff, the board announced on Saturday.
Shadab was diagnosed with “high grade full thickness tear to the Rectus Femoris muscle”, an injury he had sustained during his side’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the Napier T20I earlier this week, and subsequent MRI scans confirmed injury to his left thigh.
“The MRI reports have confirmed it is a fresh injury and not the one that had sidelined him from the Zimbabwe series last month,” said Sohail Saleem, the Pakistan team doctor.
“The latest injury will be treated conservatively and Shadab will undergo a six-week rehabilitation programme during which he will have weekly ultrasound scans. After completion 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,” he added.
The leg-spinner will remain with the side in New Zealand, where he has started his rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the medical team.
Pakistan will play the new year’s Test from January 3-7 against New Zealand and will host South Africa for a two-Test and three-match T20I series from January 26 to February 14.