Shan Masood Makes Shocking Revelation On Babar Azam's Exit From 1st Test

Shan Masood takes u-turn on Babar Azam injury [Source: AFP]

Pakistan captain Shan Masood made a shocking statement regarding the absence of Babar Azam from the first Test against Bangladesh that ended on a dramatic note at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka.

The visitors lost by 104 runs to suffer their first Test defeat on Bangladesh soil. It was a collective failure from the batting unit, who lacked the services of their star batter, Babar, due to an unforeseen injury.

Shan Masood claims Babar Azam backed out of the first Test

Just hours before the first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Babar Azam reportedly picked up a knee injury. 

At the toss, skipper Shan Masood confirmed that Babar was excluded from the playing XI as a precautionary measure. He added that it was a late call taken by the team management.

“Unfortunately, Babar is out. It's a late call. We can't take a risk with him, but we're excited about the two debutants,” Masood said at the toss.

However, after the defeat, Shan Masood changed his tune. While praising Abdullah Fazal’s performance, the Pakistan captain said the debutant only found out late at night that he would play because Babar Azam had to pull out.

“And then played some delightful shots along with Abdullah (Fazal), who was a late entry. He didn't even know he was going to be playing the Test match till very late at night when Babar had to pull out. So when he came in, he showed maturity in that first innings and that second inning,” Masood said after the game.

That wording shifted the narrative slightly, implying Babar himself withdrew from the match rather than being officially rested by the management.

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Babar Azam’s injury status revealed

That being said, adding to the speculations, Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq suggested that Babar Azam seemed fit and fine to him. This further gave rise to conspiracy and foul play theories.

However, as per reports, Babar was in fact injured, and the PCB chose to put him under medical assessment, thus ruling him out of the first Test vs Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, according to recent rumours, Babar Azam has already resumed practice sessions and completed training without major discomfort. 

Medical assessments reportedly showed no severe damage, significantly increasing hopes of his return for the second Test beginning on May 16. 

Bangladesh humble Pakistan on home soil

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s dream run against Pakistan touched a new high as they beat the men in green for the first time at home in Dhaka. 

Defending 268 on the final day, Bangladesh ripped through Pakistan’s batting lineup in the last session, with Nahid producing a fiery five-wicket haul to completely change the game. 

The young pacer dismissed captain Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan in a devastating spell before cleaning up the tail to finish with remarkable figures of 5/40. 

Pakistan briefly stayed alive in the chase thanks to impressive debutant Abdullah Fazal, who followed up his first-innings fifty with another composed knock of 66. However, once Fazal fell shortly after tea to Taijul Islam, Pakistan’s resistance collapsed quickly. 

The victory marks Bangladesh’s third straight Test win against Pakistan after their famous 2-0 series sweep in 2024.

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