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AUS Vs PAK, 2nd Test At MCG Preview: Pakistan Seek Boxing Day Miracles Against Australia As Usman Khawaja-ICC Controversy Drags On

Pakistan spinner Noman Ali became the second player in two days to withdraw from the touring squad for the remainder of๊ the three-Test series due to illness and injury. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz will replace Ali in the squad, the selection committee said on the weekend.

Pakistan in action during the warm-up match against the Prime Min𝐆isters XI.
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Pakistan goes into Tuesday's Boxing Day match against Australia on a 15-match Test losing streak, not having won Down Under since November 1995. The team's ever-expanding injury list heading into the Melbourne Cricket Ground test won't make ending the streak any easier. (Streaming | Cricket News)

Pakistan spinner Noman Ali became the second player in t♒wo days to withdraw from the touring squad for the remainder of the three-Test series due to illness and injury. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz will replace🐲 Ali in the squad, the selection committee said on the weekend.

Ali, who didn’t play in the 360-run defeat in the first Test at Perth last week, underwent 𝐆surgery for appendicitis in Melbourne on Saturday.

"Noman Ali complained of sudden and severe abdominal pain yesterday, leading to examin🌠ations and scans in emergency that confirmed a diagnosis of acute append♒icitis," a Pakistan team statement read. 

"Post-surgery he is stable and doing fine. He will be♈ discharged later (on Saturday)."

Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed Already Out
The latest blow for the tourists comes after fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who took match figures of 5-🉐128 in his impressive Test debut in Perth, was ruled out for the remainder of the series with a rib stress fracture and muscle tear on Thursday.

Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who missed out on the first Test, was also ruled out of the test because of a💯 leg injury.

Pakistan traveled to Australia with a weakened bowling lineup after fast bowler Naseem Shah was ruled out due to a long-term injury and Haris Rauf optꦅed to play in Australia’s Big Bash League instead of joining the touring squad.

"It is really unfortunate that Noman Ali is not available for the Test matches,” chief selector Wahab Riaz said. “Due to logistical challenges, including v🤡isa issues for any new player, and considering the requirement for a left-arm spinner, Nawaz was the best available choice for the side.”

Usman Khawaja Controversy
A꧑ustralia opener Usman Khawaja, who was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council for wearing a black armband in support of Palestinians in Gaza during the first test, was not expected to wear it on Tuesday for the start of the second.

He risked further sanction by the ICC if he wore it again, and said last week he had no plans to wear 🍨th𝓡e armband again during this series.

ICC regulations prevent cri🧜cketers from displaying messages of political, religious or racial causes during international matches. Khawaja was born in Pakistan and is the f👍irst Muslim to play test cricket for Australia.

On Sunday at training, though, Khawaja was seen with🧔 the image of 𓂃a dove holding an olive branch — recognized as a universal symbol of peace — on his right boot and on the back of his bat.

But the left-hander’s application to the ICC to be allowed to display t❀he images during the Melbourne test was tur🗹ned down.

Australia captain Pat Cummins feels the dove symbol supports his teammate’s right to have st💧rong beliefs, but accepts the governing body’s ruling.

"We real🉐ly support Uzzy. He’s standing up for what he believes and I think he’s done it really respectfully,” Cummins said on Monday.

"But obviously there’s rules in place and I believe the ICC 🤪have said they’re not go🌊ing to approve that. They make up the rules and you’ve got to accept it.”

Khawaja was wearing plain black shoes and was greeted warmly by members of the Pakistan team as players from both sides went through light training sessions indoors at the MCG on Mondayඣ.

Australia is expected to name an unchang🉐ed lineup for the match. The final Pakistan lineup will be confirmed at the toss. The third Test is scheduled to begin Jan. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground — where Pakistan had its last win in Australia nearly 30 years ago.

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