Big Blow For Pakistan! Babar Azam Doubtful For 1st Test Vs England

Babar Azam [Source: x]

The Pakistan cricket team is due for a big shock in a couple of days’ time when the players take field at Headingley in Leeds to take on England in their series-opener. Senior batter and visiting captain Babar Azam might well miss the all-important Test as the cricketer is yet to fully recover from his injury.

It is worth noting that Babar was also ruled out halfway into Pakistan’s warm-up match against the Professional County Club Select XI in Beckenham a few days ago. 

Babar Azam likely to miss Pakistan’s first Test vs England

While speaking with the reporters during a pre-match press conference, Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has said that the Pakistan medical team and the selection committee is yet to take a decision on the availability of Babar Azam for the first Test against England in Leeds. 

Also Read- Shaheen Afridi Outrightly Rejects Babar Azam's ODI Captaincy Return

The cricketer added that the final decision will be taken by the Pakistan team management just before the opening day of the match. 

He said “Whether he plays or not will be a decision taken on match day. He did a few throwdowns and some batting practice today. But we'll have to follow medical advice for it.”

What happened to Babar Azam?

Babar Azam suffered a nasty blow to his hand during Pakistan’s recently-concluded Test tour of the West Indies. Nursing an impact injury, the legendary Pakistan batter was also hit on his hand during Pakistan’s warm-up match against the Professional County Club Select XI in Beckenham.

He went off the field retired hurt, and did not take part in the remainder of the match, as confirmed by the PCB. Babar’s absence was part of a precautionary measure just ahead of Pakistan’s all-important three-match Test series in England.

The 31-year-old has since trained in the nets alongside his teammates at Headingley. Even though the Pakistan batting icon demonstrated no signs of any discomfort during training sessions, his stay in the nets was brief. 

More to follow...