Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has been ruled out of the first Test match against Australia starting in Perth from December 14, the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement on Sunday.

“He has not been ruled out of the test series yet, but keeping the player’s wellbeing in mind for this and future tours, further assessment before the second test will ascertain his availability on this tour,” it added.

A day earlier, sources said that Ahmed is likely to miss the first two matches of the three Test-match series against Australia.

He was taken off the field due to severe pain in his right leg around his knee on the third day of Pakistan’s game against Prime Minister’s XI.

“Meanwhile, chairman of the selection committee Wahab Riaz on the request made by the team management has approved the name of off-spinner Sajid Khan. Sajid will travel to Perth once his travel arrangement is finalised,” the PCB said.

According to the PCB, Ahmed will undergo an intervention in Perth tomorrow (Monday), after which conservative rehabilitation under the supervision of the team’s medical staff, will continue his road to recovery.

The final day’s play of the four-day game between Pakistan and Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval was called off due to bad weather. The match finished as a draw after no ball was bowled on the last day.

Prime Minister’s XI ended the previous day trailing just runs 24 as Matt Renshaw’s unbeaten century (136 not out, 337b, 8x4s, 1x6) took the team to 367-4 in 141 overs.

Read: Haris Rauf submits reply to PCB’s show cause notice

Pakistan will now face the Aussie in the first Test match on December 14 at Perth Stadium.

The second Test between the two teams will be held from December 26 to 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The third Test will be played from January 3 to 7, 2024 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.