TRINIDAD (Kashmir English): In a setback for Pakistan, young Test batter Abdullah Fazal has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against the West Indies and England after sustaining an acute lower back injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.
The 23-year-old sustained the injury on Thursday while training at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, the venue for the opening Test against the West Indies.
“Following an MRI scan and clinical assessment, the team’s medical panel confirmed that Abdullah will require a period of rehabilitation and has therefore been ruled out of both assignments,” the PCB said.
The cricketing body further added that a decision regarding his replacement for the remainder of the West Indies Test series will be announced, if required, in due course.
Fazal made his Test debut against Bangladesh in May, scoring half-centuries in both innings on debut and finishing as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the match.
He also remained not out in both innings in the warm-up match against the West Indies Select XI, scoring 50 and 48 runs respectively.
In his absence, middle-order batsman Awais Zafar’s Test debut prospects have brightened, as he was added to the squad as cover for the injured Saud Shakeel.
Imam-ul-Haq is also expected to be part of the opening pair again with Azan Awais after he missed Pakistan’s previous Test against Bangladesh.
Captain Babar Azam wished Abdullah Fazal a speedy recovery, saying that he is a talented and confident young player whose exclusion from the team is a big loss for Pakistan.
The first West Indies-Pakistan Test kicks off on Saturday, 25 July at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago.
Squads:
PAKISTAN: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Mohammad Ghazi Ghouri, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah
WEST INDIES: Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.
