Doctors and managers are absent from both the Pakistan men’s cricket squad in Australia and the Pakistan under-19 team in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sohail Saleem, the team’s official physician, has not yet arrived; his delay is attributable to problems with his passport and visa.
In the meantime, the junior team manager and former Test batter for Pak, Shoaib Muhammad, has also been unable to travel to the United Arab Emirates with the team. To compete in the Asia Cup, the under-19 squad is in the Arab nation.
According to a PCB source cited by The Economic Times, “The Pakistan Cricket Board is still trying to get a visa for Dr. Saleem and as soon as it comes he will join the side in Australia in time for the first Test in Perth.”
“Shoaib had some expired passport issues which the board is sorting out and hopefully he will also soon reach UAE to take charge,” said a source.
Furthermore, visa complications prevented Pakistani wrist-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who was injured, from replacing himself with Australian off-spinner Sajid Khan. Ahmed’s right leg injury is expected to keep him out of Pakistan’s first Test match against Australia, which is scheduled to begin in Perth on December 14.
Abrar bowled 27 overs in a four-day match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra before complaining of foot pain. He is receiving treatment from the Pakistan cricket team’s medical staff at the moment, and an MRI scan will determine whether or not he makes the starting eleven for the first Test match. His participation in the second Test in Melbourne is also unclear, according to multiple media reports.
The selection committee and team management of the Pakistan national team came to a unanimous conclusion to name Sajid as Ahmed’s replacement. After obtaining his travel documents, he will depart for Australia. Through seven Tests so far, he has claimed 22 wickets in total.
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