Pakistan's Test series against England begins on Wednesday, and the visitors have been dealt a major blow as they are set to face the first Test at Headingley without their captain, Babar Azam, who suffered an injury to his right hand. Pakistan's head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed was the one to break the news on social media.
Babar Azam has been advised to rest as he had been experiencing discomfort following a blow to the middle finger of his right hand sustained in Pakistan's warm-up match against a Professional County Club Select XI at Beckenham. Salman Ali Agha will lead Pakistan in the first Test against England as the series gets underway on Wednesday.
Salman Ali Agha Takes Charge as Babar Azam Misses Headingley Test
“Pakistan captain Babar Azam is unavailable for the first Test match. Salman Agha will be the captain for the first Test,” Sarfaraz said.
Babar Azam's absence is unlikely to affect Pakistan's opening Test match as the captain is set to lead the side. Salman said that the player's scans showed no sign of a fracture, despite the battering his fingers took.
“The medical board is examining him right now. He has a lot of pain in his finger. There are still a few days to the second Test, so hopefully, he will be fit,” Sarfaraz Ahmed added.
Salman Ali Agha will lead Pakistan in Tests for the first time. The 32-year-old has already captained Pakistan in T20Is and has proven to be a valuable asset in limited-overs cricket. He is also emerging as a reliable middle-order batter and off-spinner in Test matches.
Salman made his debut in 2022 and has been a consistent performer in the format. The left-arm spinner has a wealth of experience in first-class cricket, having played for his domestic side since 2013.
Also read: England vs Pakistan 1st Test: Headingley Weather, Pitch Report, Playing Conditions & Key Details
Pakistan's fortunes took a turn for the better as Shan Masood has recovered from the finger injury he suffered while facing the West Indies in the first Test. Masood was hit on his left index finger by Jayden Seales while scoring his century in Trinidad and Tobago. He missed the second Test against the Windies and also sat out the warm-up match in Beckenham, England.
However, he is fit to face the fourth Test against India at Headingley on Friday, September 8.
Babar Azam's absence is a major concern for Pakistan as the former captain has been in fine form in the ICC's Test rankings. Babar returned to the top ten after a productive series against the West Indies, where he posted 88 in the first Test and an unbeaten 24 in the second Test's successful chase.
Pakistan has to wait for the former captain to recover from the injury for the second Test. In the meantime, Salman has the unenviable task of leading the team in the highly anticipated contest against England at Headingley.