Sarfraz won't take the field due to head blow, Shafiq to lead on day 4

The Pakistani skipper was hit on the head while batting in the second innings, following which he was taken to the hospital for further examination and diagnoses

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed won’t be taking the field against Australia on the penultimate day of the ongoing 2^nd Test in Abu Dhabi.

According to several media reports, the Pakistani skipper was hit on the head while batting in the second innings, following which he was taken to the hospital for further examination and diagnoses.

Since Sarfraz will be out of the action on the fourth day; Mohammad Rizwan will be taking the charge behind the wickets. Rizwan was a part of the Pakistan A squad which played a four-day practice match ahead of the Test series.

On the other hand, middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq will lead the Green Caps on day four.

In the second innings, Pakistan piled up 400 runs after losing 9 wickets before declaring and setting Australia 538 runs to win.

Aussie opener Usman Khwaja couldn’t come to bat as he suffered a meniscal tear during the training session, which might require surgery. In his absence, Shaun Marsh opened with Aaron Finch but was dismissed by Mir Hamza after scoring just four runs; Finch and Travis Head saw Australia through to stumps at 47/1.