LEADS (Kashmir English): Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam‘s participation in the first Test of the three-match Test series against England is subject to the clearance of the medical team.
Babar Azam was hit on the finger by a ball during Pakistan’s three-day practice match against Professional County Club Select XI last week.
The incident occurred on the last ball of the 39th over, when fast bowler Manny Lumsden’s fast ball hit Babar Azam’s finger.
Babar immediately dropped the bat and was given medical attention by the medical staff, after which he left the field.
This was the second incident of Babar Azam being hit on the hand by a ball in a month. Earlier, he was hit on the hand by a ball during Pakistan’s Test series against the West Indies.
The Pakistan Cricket Board later said that as a precautionary measure, the medical team advised Babar Azam not to play the rest of the practice match.
Although Babar Azam was seen training with his national team teammates at Headingley, his participation in the first Test against England has not yet been finalized.
Pakistan cricket team fast bowler Mohammad Abbas said during a press conference at Headingley on Monday that the PCB medical team will make the final decision on Babar’s availability on the day of the match.
When asked about Babar’s fitness, Abbas said that whether he will play or not will be decided on the day of the match.
It should be noted that the first Test of the 3-Test series between Pakistan and England will begin in Leeds on August 19.
