Pakistan spinner Noman Ali has been forced to withdraw from the remainder of the Test series against Australia due to ‘acute appendicitis’. The 37-year-old experienced sudden, intense abdominal pain on Friday evening, leading to an emergency scan that confirmed the diagnosis. Noman underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy on Saturday morning.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) provided an update, stating, “Noman Ali complained of sudden and severe abdominal pain on Friday, leading to examination and scans in emergency that confirmed acute appendicitis. On the surgeon’s advice; he underwent laparoscopic appendectomy in the morning. Post-surgery, he is stable and doing fine. He will be discharged later this afternoon.”
Already dealing with a finger injury that ruled him out of the Test series opener in Perth, Noman was a contender for the second Test in Melbourne starting on December 26. More so, as Abrar Ahmed is recovering from an injury. However, his hospitalisation on Friday dashed all hopes.
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Having made his international debut in 2021 at the age of 34, Noman has played 15 Tests and emerged as one of Pakistan’s primary spinners in red-ball cricket. He claimed seven wickets on his debut appearance and replicated the feat in his most recent Test against Sri Lanka.
In response to Noman’s absence, the PCB had previously called in spinner Sajid Khan as an emergency replacement before the first Test. It remains uncertain if additions will be made to the squad.
Salman Ali Agha presents another spin-bowling option but only as a part-timer. Although he bowled 40 overs in Perth, Salman went wicketless.
Pakistan is grappling with significant casualties in the ongoing tour. Initially without pacer Naseem Shah due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Asia Cup, additional setbacks include Abrar Ahmed’s injury during a warm-up fixture against the Prime Minister’s XI and Khurram Shahzad being ruled out of the series due to discomfort in his left side.
After a crushing defeat in the first Test in Perth, Pakistan is still searching for their first win on Australian soil since 1995. The Men in Green face the prospect of losing the series if they suffer defeat in the upcoming Boxing Day Test to be held at the MCG.