Shehzad ruled out of NZ Test series

Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against New Zealand, a day after he suffered a minor skull fracture while batting. Shehzad was hit on the helmet by a bouncer from Corey Anderson, and scans later revealed a fracture of the zygomatic arch of the skull.

"Since Shehzad had been advised not to participate in sporting activity for a minimum of three weeks, and he could take no further part in the ongoing Test match, it was considered prudent to send him back home for complete rest and recuperation," Moin Khan, the Pakistan team manager, said in a release.

The incident took place in the last over before lunch when Shehzad attempted a hook shot off Anderson but missed the ball, which crashed into the right side of his helmet. The injury caused Shehzad so much pain that he dropped his bat on to the stumps as he wheeled away and collapsed to the ground. He was dismissed hit wicket, after scoring a career-best 176, and walked off the field holding his jaw.

A specialist surgeon had advised close monitoring for 48 hours following the injury. Shehzad was later spotted in the dressing room on the second day, watching Pakistan bowl.

The second and third Tests will be played in Dubai and Sharjah from November 17 and 26 respectively.