LEEDS (Kashmir English): Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test of the three-match series against England, scheduled to start tomorrow at Leeds, due to an injury.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed the development, saying that Salman Ali Agha will lead the team in Babar’s absence. He added that Shan Masood is also fully fit for the match.
Sarfaraz said Babar is being assessed by the medical team, and he is currently experiencing pain. “Hopefully, he will be available for the second Test,” coach added.
“We have won the practice match, which has increased our confidence. We are fully hopeful that we will perform well,” Sarfaraz said.
He further added that the team management would now decide on the final playing combination for the opening Test.
He said fast bowler Mohammad Abbas would be an important option in English conditions, while confirming that Shan Masood was fully fit for the first Test. “All the players have worked hard,” he added.
Sarfaraz said the absence of a key player was a setback for any team, adding that he has confidence in all the players.
After the team doctor’s assessment and precautionary measures, Babar was advised to rest for the rest of the practice match.
The board had said that Babar would participate in the Pakistani team’s practice session at the Headingley Cricket Ground on Monday, August 17.
Pak vs Eng Test series
Pakistan and England will lock horns in a three-match Test series from August 19 till September 13, with the first match beginning at the Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds on Wednesday.
The second Test match will be played at Lord’s Cricket Ground from August 27, while the third will begin on September 9 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, PCB said in a press release.
Pakistan Test squad
Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha (to stand in as captain during Leeds Test), Aamir Jamal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
England squad
Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue
