PAK vs AUS: Faheem Ashraf cleared for Karachi Test after testing negative in second Covid test

Pakistan’s all-rounder, Faheem Ashraf, after having missed the first Test against Australia was initially ruled out of the upcoming second Test due to Covid. Notably, Ashraf had tested positive for Covid on his arrival at the team hotel in Karachi and was expected to miss the second Test. However, in a recent development, Ashraf has since cleared a second Test for the virus on March 10th, will be a part of Pakistan’s squad for the second Test.

So far Ashraf has featured in 13 Tests for Pakistan and has taken 22 wickets to go with his 632 runs in the said number of games. Both Ashraf and fellow fast bowler, Hasan Ali, did not feature in the first Test at Rawalpindi owing to their respective injury concerns. While Ashraf is now available to be slotted in, Ali is likely to replace Naseem Shah in Pakistan’s XI for the second Test to be played between March 12th -16th at the National Stadium, Karachi.

“Faheem has tested negative in retests and has rejoined the side, meaning he’s now available for the second test,” a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson said, as quoted by India Today.

Fans hoping for livelier pitches moving ahead in the series

Last week’s series opener proved to be a tiresome five days of cricket with the match ending in a draw on what was a lifeless pitch. The surface at Rawalpindi was thus severely criticized by cricketing experts, pundits and fans alike. The match saw only 14 wickets fall across the five days with both teams scoring over 400 runs in their respective first innings.

However, with Australia’s tour to Pakistan being seen as historic, on the back of it being the first time since 1998/99 that the team is visiting Pakistan, the pitches going forward are expected to have a lot more purchase in them for the bowlers. Thus, producing results that shall keep the series exciting and match up to the occasion.