[REVISION HISTORY]

Babar Azam ruled out of first Test against England

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2026-08-19 02:25 UTC → 2026-08-19 05:39 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been officially ruled out of the first Test against England at Headingley due to a right-hand finger injury. The injury occurred when a delivery from Manny Lumsden struck his hand during a warm-up match against a Professional County Club Select XI, aggravating a previous injury sustained during a series against the West Indies. While the Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed there is no fracture, Azam is experiencing “significant pain.” Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed that all-rounder Salman Ali Agha will captain the side for the opening match of the three-Test series. ~~While medical~~ Medical assessments suggest ~~there is no fracture,~~ Azam’s availability for the remainder of the series remains subject to ~~recovery. Officials~~ recovery, though officials expressed hope that he will return in time for the second Test at Lord’s, scheduled to begin on August 27. Regarding squad availability, Shan Masood ~~is expected to return to the top order following his recovery~~ has recovered from a fractured ~~finger.~~ finger and is available for selection. To address the absence of Azam and prepare for conditions at Headingley—where a grassy surface and overcast weather are expected to favor seam bowlers—team management is evaluating tactical adjustments and middle-order options, including players such as Saud Shakeel and Awais Zafar.

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