The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Saturday that Mohammad Nawaz, the left-arm orthodox spinner, is set to step in for the unavailable Noman Ali in the current Test series against Australia.

The decision was given the nod by the national selection committee, led by Wahab Riaz. Nawaz, already part of the T20I series squad against New Zealand commencing on January 12, has been greenlit for the Test series against Australia.

The 29-year-old bowler is scheduled to fly to Australia promptly.

Earlier today, the PCB revealed that Noman, the spinner, would be sidelined for the ongoing Test series against Australia following a surgical procedure.

On December 22, Noman began encountering sudden and severe stomach pain, prompting emergency tests and scans that confirmed a diagnosis of appendicitis. Acting on the surgeon’s advice, the PCB disclosed that Noman underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy on Saturday morning.

This development makes Noman the second Pakistani bowler, following Khurram Shahzad, to be excluded from the Test series in Australia due to fitness concerns.