Injury fears for Pakistan ahead of South Africa series

JOHANNESBURG: Injury fears hover over the Pakistan cricket team as fast bowler Mohammad Abbas and spinner Shadab Khan continue to be in doubt for the first Test against South Africa.

According to sources, Abbas is nursing a shoulder issue while Shadab has a groin injury which could lead to them sitting out the three-day practice match against Cricket South Africa Invitation Xi starting tomorrow.

Opener Fakhar Zaman is also suffering from a knee problem, but he is expected to play the practice match.

The players are currently in Benoni for the practice match. It is the only game for the tourists before the first of three Tests starts in Centurion on December 26.

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Pakistan seek batting form in South Africa tour opener

Pakistan play three Tests, five ODIs and three T20Is against South Africa starting on December 26

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The Tests will be followed by five one-day internationals in which both teams will be looking to settle on combinations ahead of the Cricket World Cup in England and Wales, starting on May 30.

There will also be three T20 internationals — a format in which Pakistan top the international rankings.

Test squad

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

Fixtures

December 19-21: SA Invitation XI, Benoni

December 26-30: First Test, Centurion

January 3-7: Second Test, Cape Town

January 11-15: Third Test, Johannesburg

January 19: First ODI, Port Elizabeth

January 22: Second ODI, Durban

January 25: Third ODI, Centurion

January 27: Fourth ODI, Johannesburg

January 30: Fifth ODI, Cape Town

February 1: First T20I, Cape Town

February 3: Second T20I, Johannesburg

February 6: Third T20I, Centurion