Babar Azam Ruled Out of Headingley Test

LEEDS: Pakistan will be without captain Babar Azam for the opening Test of their three-match series against England, with the first game set to begin at Headingley on August 19.

Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed that Babar will miss the series opener, with all-rounder Salman Ali Agha appointed captain in his absence.

“Babar Azam is unavailable for the first Test, so Salman Agha will lead the team,” Ahmed said.

Babar is currently being monitored by the PCB medical team after suffering pain in his finger. Ahmed remains hopeful that the Pakistan skipper will recover in time for the second Test at Lord’s, which starts on August 27.

“The medical team is assessing Babar. He is experiencing considerable pain in his finger, but there are still a few days before the second Test. Hopefully, he will recover by then,” the head coach said.

The 31-year-old sustained the injury during Pakistan’s three-day practice game against the Professional County Club Select XI in Beckenham last week. Babar was struck on the finger by a sharp delivery from Manny Lumsden on the last ball of the 39th over.

The batter immediately dropped his bat and received treatment from the medical staff before leaving the field. He had scored five runs from 17 balls at the time.

It was the second recent blow to Babar’s hand, having also been hit during Pakistan’s Test series against the West Indies earlier this month.

Following the latest incident, the PCB medical team advised Babar to take no further part in the practice match as a precautionary measure.

Pakistan will now begin the England series under Salman Ali Agha, while the team management will closely monitor Babar’s recovery ahead of the second Test.