Babar Azam injury: Availability and latest update on Pakistan captain ahead of 1st Test vs England at Leeds originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Babar Azam suffered a hand injury scare in Pakistan's warm-up match before the England Tests.
- Reports indicate the finger issue is not serious, and he is set to be available.
- The first Test against England begins at Headingley in Leeds on August 19.
Availability and latest update on Pakistan's captain ahead of 1st Test vs England at Leeds
Pakistan captain Babar Azam suffered an injury scare ahead of the first Test against England, but the latest updates suggest there is little cause for concern. The batter was forced off during a warm-up fixture, briefly raising doubts over his availability for the series opener.
Babar was struck on his right hand while batting against a Professional County Club Select XI at Beckenham in Kent.
The blow came from a rising delivery by young Hampshire pacer Manny Lumsden, with Babar dropping his bat in visible discomfort and walking off having made just five runs.
The Pakistan Cricket Board opted to withdraw him from the remainder of the three-day practice match as a precautionary measure. It marked the second time in a month that Babar had been hit on the hand, following a similar incident during the recent Test series against the West Indies.
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Babar Azam injury update ahead of England Test series
The encouraging news for Pakistan is that the injury appears to be minor. The PCB confirmed that the decision to rest Babar was purely precautionary, taken after an assessment by the team doctor rather than due to any serious damage.
According to Pakistan digital sports journalist Talha Nawaz, there is no reason for alarm. He reported that Babar is absolutely fine, that the finger issue is not serious, and that there are no concerns regarding his availability for the first Test against England.
Babar is expected to be back in action by the start of the week and will train with the Pakistan squad at the Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds on August 17, two days before the opening Test. His participation in that session will be the clearest indicator yet of his readiness.
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Why Babar's fitness is central to Pakistan's series hopes
The timing of the scare was less than ideal, but Pakistan will be relieved it appears to be nothing more than a knock. Babar has recently returned to the top 10 of the ICC Test batting rankings and was in encouraging form in the Caribbean, scoring 88 and an unbeaten 24 as Pakistan levelled the series in Port of Spain.
As both captain and premier batter, Babar's importance to this Pakistan side can hardly be overstated, particularly on a tour where they have not played a Test in England since 2020.
With a young squad around him, his experience and runs will be vital if Pakistan are to compete against a Joe Root-led England, and his fitness for the Leeds opener will be one of the defining questions of the build-up.
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