`Stiff` Amir likely to be fit for Boxing Day Test

Melbourne [Australia], Dec.22 : Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who suffered a knee and a thigh injury during his side's first day-night Test in the Gabba, is expected to be fit for the second Test of the three-match series against Australia beginning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 26.

The 24-year-old was hit twice during the opening match. He was first taken off from the field after digging his right knee into the Gabba turf while fielding before being struck on thigh by a 152 kilometer-an-hour (94 mph) full toss from Mitchell Starc.

Reflecting on the same, Pakistan batting coach Grant Flower said although there is a bit of bruising in his thigh, he is looking fine.

"There's quite a bit of bruising on his thigh. He's feeling a bit stiff but he's alright. I think the guys are fit enough to go through (five days)," cricket.com.au quoted Flower as saying. Flower further revealed that Pakistan would probably field an unchanged playing XI, predicting that the visitors might stick with four frontline bowlers which includes the left-arm pace trio of Amir, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali.

"I think our attack will probably be the same. I think the guys are fit enough to go through. I think our attack would probably be the same. It's just one of those things that we've had for a while, we don't have that all-rounder batsman, batsman-bowler," Flower said.

Pakistan are currently trailing 0-1 in the three-match series following their narrow defeat by 39 runs in the opening match.

Source: ANI