Babar Azam Bypasses Shan Masood's Injury, Reveals Real Culprits For Pakistan's Defeat Vs WI

Babar Azam and Shan Masood [Source: AP]

Pakistan had a dismal start to the West Indies tour, as the home team crushed them by 90 runs in the first Test of the two-match series. Chasing 211, the Babar Azam-led team was folded out for 120 runs, with Jayden Seales running through their batting lineup with a sensational five-wicket haul. 

The Pakistani side suffered a major setback in the latter half of the game, as Shan Masood couldn't come out to bat at his preferred batting position due to a finger injury. Notably, Shan Masood sustained a finger injury while batting during Pakistan's first innings of the Trinidad Test against West Indies. 

After the game concluded, Babar Azam not only provided an update on Shan Masood's injury but also revealed the real culprits for the shambolic defeat in Trinidad. 

Babar Azam gives update on Shan Masood's injury, holds top order responsible for loss

Shan Masood emerged as Pakistan's wrecker-in-chief with the bat in the first innings. The former captain slammed a valiant century, playing a significant role in powering Pakistan to 282 after West Indies posted 311 runs on the board. 

However, although Masood earned massive applause for his batting effort, an injury to his finger prevented him from taking the field at his usual position at number three during the run chase. 

In Masood's absence, Babar Azam promoted himself to number three and remained unbeaten on 58, despite running out of partners at the other end. Although Masood came out to bat at eight, the injury adversely affected his performance, as he was dismissed for three runs. 

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While Babar Azam revealed Shan Masood had fractured his finger, he reckoned that a more spirited effort from the other batters against the new ball could've made the difference for his team. 

Although Babar didn't take anyone's name, it's believed that the Pakistan captain held opening batters Azan Awais and Imam-ul-Haq responsible for the loss, considering he specifically mentioned the failure of the batters against the new ball. 

"Shan's finger injury wasn't good for us, unfortunately, his finger is fractured, so we definitely missed him. But regardless of that, if you play the new ball well, survive the early overs, and build partnerships, you can put yourself in a strong position. We weren't able to do that," Babar Azam said in the post-match presentation. 

Azan Awais in firing line after twin failures

Babar Azam wasn't entirely wrong as Azan Awais indeed let Pakistan down with two consecutive poor outings. The left-handed batter couldn't neutralise the West Indies' pace attack, managing only three runs, including a duck, in the first Test. 

Imam-ul-Haq, on the other hand, struck 63 runs in the first innings, but followed it up with an eight-ball three during the run chase. The quick dismissals of the openers exposed the Pakistani batting unit to West Indies' formidable pace battery, as Jayden Seales scripted their collapse with a five-wicket haul. 

The promising Azan Awais should get another opportunity, since this was his first outing in the West Indies. However, with the series on the line, it won't be surprising if the Babar Azam-led think tank excludes him from the playing XI for the second Test. 

Will Shan Masood play PAK vs WI 2nd Test?

Meanwhile, talking about Shan Masood's injury, Babar Azam confirmed that the in-form batter sustained a fracture to his finger in the first Test. As he is 36, Masood's recovery may take a longer period than expected. 

In such a scenario, there are high chances of Shan Masood's injury ruling him out of the second Test against West Indies, starting on August 2. If Shan misses out on selection, Pakistan could bring Saud Shakeel as his replacement. 

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