Shadab Khan ruled out after thigh injury during the final T20I vs New Zealand

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has been ruled out of the team's ongoing Test series in New Zealand with a thigh injury that he sustained during the final T20I in Napier. Khan will also miss the upcoming home series against South Africa next month.

Shadab was already ruled out of the first Test which started at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on December 26 and it was later confirmed that he will miss the final match in Christchurch also.

The 22-year-old spin bowling all-rounder will need a few weeks to recover fully from the injury which means that he will also miss the 2 Tests and 3 T20Is at home against South Africa. The Proteas are due to tour Pakistan for the first time in 13 years next month.

"The MRI reports have confirmed it is a fresh injury and not the one that had sidelined him from the Zimbabwe series last month," Pakistan team doctor Sohail Saleem said in a statement.

"Shadab will undergo a six-week rehabilitation programme during which he will have weekly ultrasound



scans. After the competition of the six-week period, the medical panel will access and evaluate the injury before making a call on Shadab's return to competitive cricket."

New Zealand took the honours on Boxing Day after being put into bat as they reached 222 for 3 at stumps against Pakistan with Kane Williamson just 6 runs away from his 23 Test hundred while Henry Nicholls remained not out on 42.

The Black Caps didn't get off to a good start, losing both openers Tom Latham and Tom Blundell for 4 and 5 respectively to pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

But the 120-run partnership between the experienced Ross Taylor and Williamson steadied the ship for the hosts and put them in a good position before the former departed for 70.

Williamson and Nicholls then added 89 runs for the fourth-wicket before the end of play.

Williamson came to the crease when only three balls had been bowled and remained for the next 86.3 overs, reshaping the New Zealand innings and changing the course of the first day.