Quantcast

Graphic: Fawad's nasty facial injury

Australian spinner reportedly set to play in PSL final despite copping a ball to the face in qualifying match

Australian spinner Fawad Ahmed is expected to play in the final of the Pakistan Super League this weekend despite requiring surgery on a facial injury.

Fawad reportedly lost a tooth and needed gum surgery after a firm drive from Peshawar batsman Imam-ul-Haq smashed the leggie in the mouth in his follow through.

The 37-year-old was taken to hospital before his Quetta Gladiators went on to win the match to qualify for Sunday’s final.

The Pakistan-born spinner last month confirmed his retirement from first-class cricket and remained optimistic he could play a part in Australia's World Cup campaign this year.

Image Id: CAA9B8CB9CC74F459E9D09905428D4F7 Image Caption: Fawad Ahmed in hospital // @UmarFarooqGL

He played the last of his five international limited-overs matches for Australia nearly six years ago.

"I still love the game – one-day, T20 or four-day cricket – but for me the only available option was white-ball cricket so I'm going to continue to play 50-overs and T20,” he told cricket.com.au.

The right-armer will remain available for selection in domestic 50-over cricket next summer having helped Victoria to this season's title, while he hopes to extend his career on the global T20 circuit as well continuing to play in the KFC BBL.

But his World Cup dream appears unlikely after the strong performance of incumbent leg-spinner Adam Zampa in Australia’s series win in India, with Zampa and Nathan Lyon to lead the spin attack in the upcoming series against Pakistan in the UAE.