Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that spinner Abrar Ahmed has been ruled out of the first Test match against Australia, scheduled to begin on December 14 in Perth. The PCB stated that Ahmed will undergo an intervention in Perth on Monday and his availability for the rest of the series will be determined after further assessment. In the meantime, off-spinner Sajid Khan has been approved to travel to Perth as a replacement. The schedule for the Australia tour includes a second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26-30, and a third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7.