Babar Azam Ruled Out Of Crucial Match On England Tour; PCB Issues Update

Babar Azam sustained injury during practice game [Source: AFP]Pakistan has sustained a huge blow in its quest to conquer England as their star player and captain, Babar Azam, has suffered an injury, just a few days before the first England vs Pakistan Test match begins. The Asian side is currently playing a three-day warm-up game against the Professional County Club Select XI, and the Pakistan skipper copped a huge blow during the game. A rising delivery from Manny Lumsden struck Babar on his bottom hand, and the player looked in pain; he didn't bat after that as Pakistan is sweating hard on his fitness.PCB releases official statement on Babar Azam's injury statusUnfortunately for Pakistan, Babar has been ruled out of the ongoing warm-up fixture; however, he will join the Pakistan team for a practice session on Monday."Following an assessment by the team doctor and taking precautionary measures, Babar has been advised to take rest from the remainder of the practice match," a media release from PCB stated. "Babar will participate in Pakistan team's practice session on Monday, August 17, at Headingley Cricket Ground."The first Test begins on August 19, and Babar has four days to recover before the red-ball series commences.Why the practice match was important for Babar Azam before England seriesIt was in 2020 that Pakistan last toured England for a red-ball Test series, and Babar was one of the star performers with the bat for the Asian side. It has been six years since their last England tour, and a lot has changed since then.Also Read: ICC Test Rankings: Babar Azam Back In Top 10 After 2 YearsEngland is one of the trickiest places to play a Test match for an Asian side, and the practice game would have allowed Babar to get acclimatised to the English conditions.In the last few years, Babar Azam has played most of his Test matches in Asian and West Indies conditions. However, England is different as there is considerable movement, and the warm-up fixture would have helped the Pakistan Test captain to understand the movement of the ball better.Moreover, runs in the practice match would have given the right-handed batter loads of confidence heading into the first Test vs England.Who will replace Babar in 1st Test if Pakistan captain fails to recoverThe Test series holds utmost importance for Pakistan for their quest to reach the WTC final, but for that, they need to beat the English side as they languish eighth in the points table.Babar remains Pakistan’s best Test batter, and the management might not want to take any risk regarding his fitness. Hence, with just four days left for the first Test, it might not come as a shocker if the Pakistan captain gets ruled out of the first Test.If he gets ruled out, Pakistan might have to find a suitable replacement, and Shan Masood, who was ruled out of the second Test against the West Indies due to an injury, could make his return in place of Babar.Also Read: Who is Keshara Nuwantha, Sri Lanka Debutant Who Can Be An X-Factor vs India