Sydney: On the eve of the second Test Pakistan suffered a major blow with teenage pacer Mohammed Aamer being ruled with a groin injury.

Mohammed Aamer’s stiff hamstring would mean Pakistan’s hopes of securing a series-leveling win in the second cricket Test against Australia would receive a major setback. On Saturday Mohammad Aamer was ruled out of the match.

Expressing concern over Aamer waking up stiff this morning, Mohammad Yousuf said they would make a decision only after he bowled in the nets. But Aamer brushed off the concerns, saying it was just stiffness from bowling so many overs and that he would definitely play.

It had been decided by Pakistan coaches that Aamer will not be picked for the second Test starting on Sunday in a bid to save him from a possible injury, a team official said.

“He has a groin injury and though it doesn’t appear serious, we decided not to risk him for the Test,” Abdur Raquib, the team manager, told Cricinfo. “He had a bowl and the on-tour selection committee decided to leave him out.”

Being Pakistan’s most incisive bowler for much of the first Test, the 17-year old ended up with his first five-wicket haul in the second innings, including wickets of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey. The figures included a fiery spell on the third on the third afternoon to Shane Watson, in which Aamer’s pace reached 150kmph on a few occasions.

Aamer’s late withdrawal would mean Pakistan will now start with Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami and Danish Kaneria.

[Source: Cricketnext, Ibnlive]