Sarfraz under a cloud after Starc blow

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed's involvement in the remainder of the second Test is under a cloud after a Mitchell Starc bouncer smashed the wicketkeeper on the forearm while he was batting on day one of the second Test.

Despite donning the gloves after the blow and taking a spectacular diving catch late in the day, Sarfraz said his side would employ a substitute wicketkeeper if the condition of his arm worsened overnight on Tuesday.

The skipper continued batting after the knock, albeit with the addition of an arm-guard, but he departed soon after for 94 as he miscued a wild heave off leg-spinner Marnus Labuschagne.

Image Id: 21C5498FC581484F9197C773C828008E Image Caption: Sarfraz trudges off on 94 // Getty

Coach Mickey Arthur was in discussions with umpires at the end of the day's play, with Sarfraz explaining that he was enquiring about the use of a replacement gloveman.

Sarfraz, who had his arm wrapped in an ice-pack at the press conference after play but had yet to receive an official diagnosis of his injury, said Mohammad Rizwan would be on hand to fill-in for him as wicketkeeper should he not be fit enough to take the gloves on day two.

"Starc bowled a quick bouncer to me … At that time, I was (in a lot of) pain," Sarfraz said at stumps with Australia 2-20 after Pakistan had reached 282. "But at that moment, I couldn't get out because no batsmen were left to come in.

Image Id: 07518674315842F3BD5988C9DB7F8142 Image Caption: Sarfraz gets treatment after the blow // Fox Cricket

"I was hanging out but unfortunately I didn't get the score … a century was very close. That's why I was very disappointed.

"It's feeling swollen, hopefully tomorrow it'll be getting better. I'll get icing tonight so hopefully getting better tomorrow."

Rizwan, a one-Test keeper who was included in Pakistan's original 17-man squad for the two-Test series against Australia, could be the beneficiary of a recent change to the Laws of Cricket which now allow sub-fielders to keep wicket.

The MCC made the change last year to ensure non-specialist keepers were not being put in danger and designated that umpires would have to approve the swap.

Rizwan, should he be permitted to fill in for Sarfraz, would not be able to bat, bowl or act as captain, per the MCC's guidelines.

West Indies made use of the new regulations earlier this month after keeper Shane Dowrich injured his knee and was replaced by Jahmar Hamilton, who had not been picked in the original XI.

The loss of Sarfraz would represent a huge blow to Pakistan.

The 31-year-old played a superb, counter-attacking knock to rescue his side after they'd slumped to 5-57 following a devastating Nathan Lyon blitz of 4-0 in six balls.

Using the late cut to good effect, Sarfraz raced along to a 53-ball half-century as he and debutant Fakhar Zaman put on 147 for the sixth wicket.

He then took an outstanding catch to remove first Test star Usman Khawaja before stumps, leaping to his right and hanging onto an attempted leg-side flick with one hand.

Lyon admitted Australia let the game slip when Fakhar and Sarfraz came together at the crease, praising their aggressive approach.

"I think we may have sat back and thought 'it'll just happen'," said Lyon. "But it's Test cricket for a reason. You play an international, you're playing against some of the best guys in the world, they're not just going to roll over.

"It's a good little learning curve for the Australian cricket side, especially a young Australian cricket side, that you can never take your foot off the throat in Test cricket.

"There's always someone who's going to put up a fight. If you take the foot off, you can see those partnerships build up.

"You've got to give credit where credit's due, I think the way they played around and rotated the strike, wouldn't let one bowler bowl to one batter for one period of a time was a perfect approach."

Qantas Tour of the UAE

Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc

Pakistan Test squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez

Oct 7-11: First Test, drawn

Oct 16-20: Second Test, Abu Dhabi