PAK Vs ENG: Here’s Why Abrar Ahmed Didn’t Take The Field On Day 4 Of The First Test

The first Test between Pakistan and England in Multan has been a gripping contest, with both teams showing moments of dominance. However, on Day 4, Pakistan’s hopes took a significant hit when their star leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was absent from the field. The 26-year-old bowler, who had struggled to find his rhythm in the previous two days, was missing when the players took to the field. His absence, reportedly due to illness, has left Pakistan’s bowling attack considerably weakened at a critical juncture in the match.

Abrar’s unavailability has raised concerns among fans and cricket pundits alike. The leg-spinner, known for his ability to trouble batters with his variations, was expected to play a key role in Pakistan’s bowling efforts on a day when they desperately needed breakthroughs. His sudden illness has shifted the balance in England’s favor, as the visitors continue to build a commanding lead. With the match delicately poised, Abrar’s absence could have significant consequences for the final outcome of the Test.

Abrar Ahmed’s Absence: A Major Blow for Pakistan

Abrar Ahmed’s absence on Day 4 of the first Test has undoubtedly been a major blow for Pakistan. After enduring two tough days of cricket, the home team was counting on their leg-spinner to lead the charge on a wicket that was expected to offer some assistance to spin. However, as reported by Pakistani media, Abrar was forced to sit out due to a fever, rendering him unable to take the field alongside his teammates. This unexpected setback has left Pakistan’s bowling attack short-handed, forcing them to manage the workload with just four frontline bowlers.

For Pakistan, Abrar’s unavailability has come at the worst possible time. England’s batters, led by Joe Root and Harry Brook, have already exploited the gaps in Pakistan’s depleted bowling lineup, putting the hosts on the back foot. With Abrar not available to bowl, captain Shan Masood has been left with limited options. The absence of a key wicket-taker has added immense pressure on the other bowlers, who now face the daunting task of containing a strong England batting lineup without the services of one of their primary weapons.

Abrar Ahmed’s Struggles Before Illness

Before falling ill, Abrar Ahmed had struggled to replicate his usual brilliance in the match. After an impressive start to his Test career, the leg-spinner had high expectations placed upon him to deliver on home soil. However, the conditions in Multan and the resilience of England’s batters, particularly Joe Root, seemed to negate Abrar’s usual effectiveness. On Day 2 and Day 3, the leg-spinner found it difficult to make breakthroughs, and his efforts yielded little success as England piled on the runs.

Abrar’s illness has added an unfortunate twist to what was already a difficult outing for him. After failing to claim wickets in the early stages of the match, there was hope that he could turn things around on Day 4. Unfortunately, his absence means that he will not have the opportunity to redeem himself, and Pakistan must now navigate the remainder of the Test without their premier spinner. The team’s medical staff is closely monitoring Abrar’s condition, and while there is optimism that he might recover in time to play a role on the final day, the uncertainty surrounding his fitness has cast a shadow over Pakistan’s chances.

What Abrar’s Absence Means for Pakistan’s Bowling Attack

With Abrar Ahmed unavailable to bowl on Day 4, Pakistan’s bowling attack has been stretched thin. The hosts are left with only four frontline bowlers to contend with a rampant England batting lineup that is steadily building a massive first-innings lead. The remaining bowlers, including Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Hasan Ali, are now tasked with the arduous challenge of finding wickets on a track that has offered little assistance to the seamers. The absence of spin, traditionally a potent weapon on subcontinental wickets, has only made matters worse.

Without Abrar’s ability to control the flow of runs and pick up crucial wickets, Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood has been forced to rely heavily on his pace attack. However, with the pitch offering little assistance to the fast bowlers, it has been a difficult task for the pacers to stem the flow of runs. The spinners in the team, apart from Abrar, have also struggled to find any significant breakthroughs, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position. As the day progresses, the pressure on Pakistan’s fielding unit continues to mount, as they face the prospect of chasing a large total in the final innings.

Joe Root’s Double-Century Shines in Abrar’s Absence

While Abrar Ahmed’s absence has been a significant blow for Pakistan, it has allowed Joe Root to take full advantage of the weakened bowling attack. Root, who was in sublime form heading into Day 4, reached yet another monumental milestone in his career, scoring his sixth double-century in Test cricket. This innings, a masterclass in concentration and technique, saw Root break past Alastair Cook’s record of five double-centuries, placing him second only to Wally Hammond among English players.

Root’s ability to neutralize Pakistan’s bowling attack, particularly the spinners, was a key factor in England’s dominance on Day 4. With Abrar out of action, Pakistan’s spin attack lacked the cutting edge needed to break through Root’s defenses. The English batter took full advantage of the situation, playing with remarkable composure and precision. His double-century not only shifted the momentum firmly in England’s favor but also put the visitors in a commanding position heading into the final stages of the Test.

Abrar’s Absence Adds Pressure on Pakistan’s Captain Shan Masood

The sudden illness of Abrar Ahmed has also added an extra layer of pressure on Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood. As the leader of the team, Masood is now tasked with making difficult decisions in the field while being short of a key bowler. The absence of Abrar, who is not only a wicket-taker but also someone who can bowl long spells and control the run rate, has left Masood with fewer tactical options. With England’s batters continuing to score freely, Masood has had to shuffle his bowlers more frequently than planned, further complicating Pakistan’s efforts to contain the visitors.

Masood’s challenge as captain has been compounded by the fact that Pakistan’s bowlers have struggled to make inroads into England’s batting lineup. Without Abrar’s presence, the captain has had to rely on his seamers, who have found it difficult to extract anything from the pitch. The absence of a frontline spinner has also limited Pakistan’s ability to control the middle overs, where Root and Brook have capitalized on the lack of pressure from the bowling attack. Masood’s leadership will be tested in the final stages of the match, as he looks to inspire his team to stage a fightback in the absence of one of their key players.

Pakistan’s Hopes Hang in the Balance Ahead of Final Day

As Day 4 draws to a close, Pakistan’s hopes of pulling off a victory in the first Test have been severely dented by Abrar Ahmed’s illness. His unavailability has left a gaping hole in Pakistan’s bowling lineup, one that England’s batters have fully exploited. With Joe Root’s double-century and Harry Brook’s hundred piling on the runs, Pakistan now faces the daunting prospect of chasing a large target on a wicket that has yet to fully deteriorate.

If Abrar is unable to return for the final day, Pakistan’s chances of containing England and making a strong push for a win will be greatly diminished. While there is hope that the leg-spinner might recover in time to make an impact, the uncertainty surrounding his fitness has cast a shadow over Pakistan’s prospects. The medical team continues to monitor Abrar’s condition closely, but his absence on Day 4 has already had a significant impact on the match. As the final day approaches, Pakistan’s bowlers and batters will need to summon their best efforts if they are to overcome the challenges posed by a strong England team and the loss of one of their key players.

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