Pakistan have suffered a major setback ahead of their
three-match Test series against England, with captain Babar Azam ruled out of
the opening Test at Headingley.
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| Image Credits: Free Press Journal |
The star batter sustained a blow to his right hand during a warm-up fixture against a County Select XI in Beckenham. The hit aggravated a pre-existing issue on the same hand suffered during a recent series. Medical scans confirmed there is no fracture, but severe swelling and discomfort have forced him to sit out the series opener.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed the news, announcing
that off-spinning all-rounder Salman Ali Agha will step up to captain the side
in Test cricket for the first time. Middle-order batter Saud Shakeel, who
impressed with a century in the warm-up match, is expected to fill the gap in
the playing XI.
"It is not broken, but there is swelling. We hope the pain settles so he can return for the second Test at Lord's," the team management stated. Babar’s absence leaves a significant void in Pakistan's top order as they aim to secure a crucial Test series victory on English soil.
