Shadab Khan ruled out of first New Zealand Test

Injury woes continue for the Pakistan team as all-rounder Shadab Khan has also been ruled out of the first Test against New Zealand due to a thigh injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Tuesday.

The all-rounder was ruled out because of a thigh injury he had sustained after the end of Pakistan's T20I match in Napier which the team won by four wickets under Shadab's leadership.

Skipper Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq had already been declared unfit for the first Test due to injuries. "Shadab will now undergo MRI scans in Tauranga on Thursday, following which a further update on the exact nature of the injury and time needed to return to competitive cricket will be provided," read the PCB statement

The team management said that it has added left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar in the squad in place of Shadab for the Test that will be played from December 26 till 30.

"Zafar has joined the Test side from Hamilton where he was preparing with the Pakistan Shaheens for Sunday’s T20 match against the Northern Knights," the PCB said.

The 25-year-old has so far taken 144 wickets in 39 first-class matches, including six five-wicket hauls in an innings and two 10-wicket match hauls.

The Pakistan team has already lost skipper Babar Azam and opener Imam-ul-Haq due to injuries. Both the players were also ruled out of the T20 series against New Zealand that ended on Tuesday.