Azhar Ali cleared to play after nasty blow to head

Pakistan opener Azhar Ali has been given medical clearance after he suffered a nasty blow to his helmet while fielding at short leg during day four of the second Test in Melbourne on Thursday.

Azhar was put through a test by Australian team doctor and was cleared of concussion, a spokesperson of Cricket Australia confirmed.

The double-centurion will return to play on the final day of the Melbourne Test tomorrow (Friday).

"He is fine," Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood said after play on Thursday, as quoted by local media.

Azhar was hit off a pull shot by Australia wicket-keeper Matthew Wade and fell to the ground in pain. His teammates and the team physio rushed to him as he lay on the field and play was temporarily stopped. He was given some treatment, before being forced off the MCG.

The ball hit his helmet and then was caught by Babar Azam, without touching the ground. Wade, however, was not given out under a law of the game: a batsman can't be dismissed if the ball makes contact with a fielder's helmet.

The law is to be amended next year. The MCC's Cricket Committee decided earlier this month that catches and stumpings will be permitted after the ball has struck a helmet worn by a fielder, according to cricket.com.au.