Pakistan allrounder Faheem Ashraf available for second Australia Test

The hosts were due to be without the 28-year-old for the clash in Karachi, but he has now been cleared to play

Faheem Ashraf is available for Pakistan's second Test against Australia after a rapid antigen test cleared him to face Australia in Karachi.

The 28-year-old had returned a positive for Covid-19 but a follow-up less than 24 hours later has seen him passed to play.

Ashraf is back in contention having been forced to sit out the first Test after picking up a hamstring injury during the Pakistan Super League.

Despite only being 13 matches into his Test career, the Kasur-native is already a key figure in Babar Azam's side, offering an additional seam-bowling option as well as some lower-order runs.

He averages 34.09 with the ball and 35.11 with the bat in the five-day format.

Hasan Ali also missed the first Test stalemate in Rawalpindi due to an injury suffered in the PSL but is back under consideration.

Haris Rauf is also understood to be available after testing positive for Covid, having returned a negative result along with the rest of the squad upon arriving at the team hotel.