![Injury update on Pakistan captain Babar Azam [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1787234175554_BabarAzamPakistan.jpg?type=hq)
Injury update on Pakistan captain Babar Azam [Source: AFP]
Pakistan captain Babar Azam was seen practising with the team ahead of Day 2 of the first Test against England. This comes after he missed the ongoing game at Leeds due to a hand injury.
The first Test between England and Pakistan went on the floor at Headingley in Leeds on August 19. However, the visitors were trashed in the first innings as they got bundled for just 171 runs.
Their performance was a clear sign that Pakistan missed the services of their skipper, Babar Azam.
Babar Azam likely to be available for second Test
Moments before the toss, Pakistan announced that captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the Leeds Test against England due to a finger injury. He was hit during Pakistan's warm-up match against the Professional County Club Select XI in Beckenham.
The blow was serious enough for him to retire hurt from that game. Moreover, Babar continued to experience pain and wasn't declared fit in time for the Test. Hence, Salman Agha stepped up as stand-in skipper.
Having said that, ahead of Day 2, Babar Azam did throw down practice with the team. He didn’t put a bandage on his injured finger and appeared in no pain as well.
This is a clear indication that Babar’s finger has healed significantly, and if all things go well, he is most likely to be available to play the second Test against England, which is scheduled to be held at Lord’s Stadium on August 27.
Overall, Babar Azam has a whole week to recover, and Pakistan's medical team is monitoring him constantly.
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Why does Pakistan need Babar Azam back for the Lord's Test?
The way Pakistan collapsed in the first innings of the Leeds Test indicated how badly they missed skipper Babar Azam. After a prolonged period of struggle, the reappointed captain had regained form.
In the last 2-game Test series against West Indies, he scored 193 runs in 4 innings at a strike rate of 59. Not only that, but Babar narrowly missed a hundred in the second Test as he got run out on 88.
Regardless, Babar Azam won the Player of the Series award for his heroics with the bat. Hence, to conquer England, Pakistan badly needs to have their captain back as soon as possible.
Who replaced Babar in the Leeds Test?
Meanwhile, to fill in Babar Azam’s shoes, Pakistan called up Abdullah Shafique. He batted at no. 4 and scored 63 runs in the first innings. Not only that, but Pakistan also included Saud Shakeel and Azan Awais in the playing XI.
Regardless, Babar’s void will be hard to fill. He is not only a veteran batter in the middle order but also an experienced leader. Notably, he was reappointed as Test captain just ahead of the West Indies tour.
The management has put faith in his leadership once again, and the pressure will surely be on Babar Azam to prove himself in red-ball cricket.
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