The first Test between Pakistan and Australia is to go down at Rawalpindi on March 4th. It will be Australia’s first game in Pakistan in over 23 years. Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf have been ruled out of the historic Test match for Pakistan. Both Hasan and Ashraf were part of Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League. Ashraf missed the game on Friday against Lahore Qalandar due to a hamstring pull. Hasan Ali played the game but limped off towards the dressing room due to an abductor strain.
Both the players have been Key performers for Pakistan in the past couple of years. Ashraf averages nearly 40 with the bat through 2021, and his ability to swing the ball makes him one of the most essential player on the team. Ashraf filled the void Pakistan was facing for years with his role of a seam-bowling allrounder.
On the other hand, Hasan Ali was the third-highest wicket-taker in tests last year.
Although the pair is expected to be fit for the second Test, the absence of Ashraf and Hasan Ali can be a massive blow to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Wasim Jr. have been called up as the cover for both the players.
ESPNcricinfo reported that both Iftikhar and Wasim would reach Islamabad and start three-day isolation at the team hotel. They would join the rest of the team after clearing the COVID test.