Pakistan vs Australia: The reason why Sarfraz Ahmed didn't take the field on the fourth day

In what comes as a major blow for Pakistan ahead of Day 4 of the second Test match in Abu Dhabi, their skipper Sarfraz Ahmed hasn’t taken the field. This was after Sarfraz was hit on the helmet in trying to duck a delivery off Peter Siddle on the third day of the ongoing Test match. These are ominous signs for the home team as they will miss the services of their skipper on the field.

In the 89th over of Pakistan’s second innings, Siddle’s delivery hit him on the helmet grill as he tried to sit under it but the lack of bounce on the wicket got the better of the Pakistani skipper. Even in the first innings, the 31-year old was hit on the elbow while ducking the bouncer from Mitchell Starc.

Sarfraz Ahmed has been sent to the hospital due to a slight concussion and will be kept under observation now. It will be interesting to see if he will be able to take the field for the upcoming T20I series against Australia which will commence on October 24.

Pakistan is currently in a position to seal the victory with visitors still 482 runs behind in their second innings. But Australia’s mammoth effort to save the first Test at Dubai is still afresh in the minds of all the Pakistani fans.

Asad Shafiq to lead

Asad Shafiq, the vice-captain of the side will martial the troops in the absence of the regular skipper. Also, Mohammad Rizwan, the backup wicket-keeper will replace Sarfraz to keep wickets for Pakistan on the fourth day. Sarfraz, who slammed his critics with back-to-back fifties in the game, missed on an opportunity to register his 4th Test ton as he fell short by just six runs of the magical three-figure mark in the first innings.

“Mohammad Rizwan Will keep wickets for Pakistan today as Sarfraz is injured. he got hit on the helmet while batting yesterday and he also suffered an elbow injury in the first innings. Asad Shafiq will lead the Team,” Cricbuzz reported before the day started.

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