![Injured Shan Masood has joined the Pakistan team for England series [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1786514775176_InjuredShanMasoodhasjoinedthePakistanteamforEnglandseries.jpg?type=hq)
Injured Shan Masood has joined the Pakistan team for England series [Source: AFP]
Pakistan is set to take on England in a three-match Test series, and the team is currently practicing in Kent ahead of their warm-up fixture, which commences on August 13. With a place in the WTC final on the line, Pakistan has received a major boost as Shan Masood, who sustained an injury during the West Indies tour, has joined the squad.
The Pakistan team held a practice session at Kent County Club in Beckenham, where the warm-up fixture will take place, and ahead of the match, Masood also took part in training as he faces a race against time to be 100% fit for the first Test.
Pakistan confirms Masood on track to be included in first Test
On Tuesday, the Pakistan Test squad members held a practice session at Kent County Club, where players took part in batting and bowling drills to get used to the tricky English conditions.
The stylish left-handed batter trained with the rest of the squad, and he appears to be getting better as he looked sharp and was on course to be picked in the Pakistan playing XI for the first Test match against England.
The development was also confirmed by Pakistan cricket as they released a statement on Masood’s progress.
"The national Test squad took part in a practice session at Kent County Cricket Club in Beckenham. The players participated in batting and bowling net practice during the session," Pakistan confirmed.
"Injured batter Shan Masood also took part in the practice session. Under the supervision of the medical team, he carried out batting practice."
Masood sustained finger injury in first Test against West Indies
Pakistan sustained a jolt in the first Test against the West Indies recently, as the southpaw suffered a finger injury and battled pain to play in the second innings of the match, as Pakistan lost the match.
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The former Pakistan Test captain suffered a broken finger after getting hit by a Jayden Seales delivery on the third day of the first Test.
He did not come out to bat on the morning of the fourth day, and also didn’t bat at his usual number 3 position in the second innings run-chase. Moreover, he was also on the sidelines for the series finale as Pakistan defeated the Windies to level the series.
Who will Shan Masood replace in Pakistan XI for first Test vs England
Abdullah Shafique replaced Shan Masood in Pakistan’s playing XI for the second Test against the Windies. However, he will certainly play the opening game against England, as Shafique scored a match-winning century against the West Indies.
On paper, Imam-ul-Haq should be dropped to incorporate Shan Masood, but Imam was the highest run-getter in Pakistan’s domestic circuit, and the team wants a left-right combination at the top.
In such a situation, Shafique could possibly be slotted in at the opening spot alongside Imam, and Masood can play at his usual number 3 spot. As a result, Azan Awais could be the one making way for Masood to be picked in the playing XI.
The Asian side would ideally like to have an experienced batting lineup against England, and hence, Awais could be the one getting dropped.
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