Pakistan test captain Babar Azam Had to leave early in a warm-up game when he suffered a painful arm injury, raising concerns about his fitness ahead of the three-match Test series against England.
Babar was the England Under-19 fast bowler while scoring five runs for professional county club Select XI. Manny Lumsden Hit his lower arm with a high ball. The Pakistan star immediately felt discomfort and decided not to continue his innings after treatment.
Babar Azam advised to rest as a precaution
pakistan cricket board confirmed that Babar was evaluated by the team doctor after the incident. While there was no immediate indication of the severity of the injury, the team management decided to err on the side of caution with their captain.
This decision means that Babar will not take any further participation in the practice match. The extent of the injury is unclear, leaving Pakistan supporters waiting for further updates before the start of the Test series. For Pakistan, this is not an ideal time at all. Babar is one of the most important batsmen of the team and will be expected to play a vital role against England's fast and moving attack.
“After assessment by the team doctor and keeping in mind the precautionary measures, Babar has been advised to rest from the remainder of the practice match,” the PCB said in a media release, as quoted by the ICC.
Pakistan got positive update about Babar
Despite initial concerns, Pakistan received some assurances about Babur's immediate plans. The PCB said he expected to return to training at the Headingley Cricket Ground on Monday, August 17. This session can provide the first important information as to whether the hand problem is simply a precautionary concern or something that could impact their participation.
Pakistan will be particularly keen to avoid any unnecessary risks with their captain. There are only two days between the scheduled practice session and the start of the Test series, so Babar's recovery will be monitored by the team management. The presence of the Pakistan batsman will provide stability to a lineup that will face challenging English conditions.
Importance of England series in WTC
Pakistan in their recent test assignments in England series west indies Entering after a 1-1 draw against. The result ends a difficult series of eight consecutive overseas Test defeats, with Pakistan leveling the series by winning the second match by eight wickets.
Their three-Test series against England begins on August 19 and is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Both teams are currently near the bottom of the table, making the series particularly important for their Championship campaigns. England is in seventh place, with a score percentage of 24.36, while Pakistan is in eighth place, with a score percentage of 22.22.