Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been advised to rest for the remainder of a three-day practice match after being struck on the right hand in England. The PCB said the move was precautionary and added he will take part in training in Leeds on August 17.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam was advised to sit out the remainder of an ongoing three-day practice match after suffering a blow to his right hand during the team’s warm-up fixture against the Professional County Club Select XI ahead of next week’s first Test against England.
The incident took place on the second day of the match at the Kent County Cricket Ground. Babar was batting when a delivery from pacer Manny Lumsden on the final ball of the 39th over struck him on the finger. He appeared to be in immediate discomfort, dropped his bat and was attended to by the medical staff before leaving the field. He had made five runs from 17 balls when he retired hurt.
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board, the decision to withdraw him from the rest of the practice match was taken as a precaution after an assessment by the team doctor.
“Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam while batting during the second day of the ongoing three-day practice match at Kent County Cricket Club was struck on the right hand by a ball,” the PCB said in a statement.
“Following an assessment by the team doctor and taking precautionary measures, Babar has been advised to take rest from the remainder of the practice match,” it added.
The latest setback is the second time in a month that Babar has been hit on the hand, following a similar incident during Pakistan’s Test series against the West Indies.
Practice plans unchanged
The PCB said Babar is still due to join Pakistan’s practice session at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds on August 17. The tour match in Kent is part of Pakistan’s build-up to the opening Test against England next week.
Babar’s injury concern emerged during the side’s ongoing preparations in England, where Pakistan are using the warm-up match to fine-tune their readiness before the start of the Test series.
