Pakistan cricket team captain Sarfraz Ahmed has been taken to hospital after taking a blow to the helmet on the third day of the ongoing second Test match. Ahmed also did not take the field on the fourth day of the Test match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, Australian opener Usman Khawaja was ruled out due to a knee injury. The 31-year-old Pakistan skipper was batting on 33 during the third innings on Wednesday when a bouncer from Australia’s medium pace bowler Peter Siddle struck his helmet.

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However, Ahmed brushed off the blow and continued his innings as he scored 81 off 123 balls, helping the hosts setting a daunting target of 538.

Asad Shafiq, 32, will lead Pakistan in the absence of Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan will keep the wickets for the team.

The visiting team also had to deal with a major blow when it was confirmed that opener Khawaja had suffered a meniscal tear to his left knee. Khawaja will likely undergo a surgery.

Khawaja was the hero for the troubled Australian side in the first Test match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Khawaja has scored a match-saving 141 in the first test. It has also been learned that Khawaja is now doubtful for the Test series at home against India that will kick-start on December 6 at Adelaide.