The Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday said that spinner Abrar Ahmed has shown improvement and started bowling at 50% intensity.

“Although he has worked really well since his diagnosis in Canberra, he still is not 100% asymptomatic. Considering the nature of the injury and the workload required from a spinner in a Test match, Abrar is not yet ready and will therefore not be available for the second Test,” the PCB said in a statement.

According to the cricket-governing body, Ahmed will undergo a preliminary fitness test on December 25, which will determine his probable return-to-play date.

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.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan later joined the Pakistan Test team in Perth, Australia to play the first Test match against Australia. He was recalled to the side after Ahmed was injured.

Earlier today, Noman Ali was ruled out of Pakistan’s remaining two tests of the three-match series against Australia after undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis.

The second test between Australia and Pakistan begins in Melbourne on Tuesday with the final meeting of the series taking place in Sydney from January 3.

The national selection committee approved Mohammad Nawaz as the replacement of Ali for the ongoing Test series against Australia.

“It is really unfortunate that Noman Ali is not available for the Test matches. Due to logistical challenges, including visa issues for any new player, and considering the requirement for a left-arm spinner, Nawaz was the best available choice for the side,” Wahab Riaz, chief selector men’s cricket team, said in a statement.