Former cricketer Junaid Khan expressed his concerns over the fitness of young right-arm pacer Khurram Shahzad ahead of Pakistan’s second Test against Australia in Melbourne.
Khurram Shahzad bowled 38 overs, conceded 128 runs and ended up with five wickets in the Perth Test.
Things did not get better for Pakistan following their hammering 360-run defeat in the series opener as the pacer became doubtful for the upcoming fixture.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated that he complained of discomfort in his left side during the game and was sent for an MRI scan after the match.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s former ace pacer Junaid Khan acknowledged Khurram Shahzad’s performance in the Perth Test before highlighting a technical flaw in the latter’s bowling action.
“Everyone is saying that Khurram Shazad bowled outstandingly. No doubt, he bowled well, but, his bio-mechanic is not right,” asserted Junaid.
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The former pacer then highlighted a significant decline in Shahzad’s pace before expressing his concern that the emerging star could get injured if the management makes him play another fixture.
“In the first innings, he was bowling 135 [kph] and in the second 130 [kph]. But, if he plays a Test or two then he might get injured,” he added.
Pakistan, who were at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table with a perfect, record, got another blow to their campaign when the International Cricket Council (ICC) penalized them for maintaining a slow over-rate during the Perth Test.
Pakistan were fined 10 per cent of their match fee and docked two ICC WTC points.
The sanction after a hammering defeat, consequently resulted in them slipping to the second spot with a winning rate of 61.11.
Two-time runners-up India benefitted from Pakistan’s demotion and reached the summit with a winning percentage of 66.67.
Australia squad:
Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner
Pakistan’s squad:
Shan Masood (captain), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed.