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Babar Azam out of first Test against England with hand injury
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against England at Headingley due to a right hand injury, with Salman Ali Agha taking over as skipper. The injury, sustained during a warm-up match, has not fully healed, and the team hopes he will return for the second Test at Lord's. Meanwhile, England won the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs, and discussions are ongoing about potential changes to Pakistan's lineup.
Babar Azam Ruled Out of First Test with Hand Injury
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against England at Headingley, with Salman Ali Agha taking over as skipper. The decision was confirmed by Pakistan coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, who told reporters on Tuesday, "Babar Azam is not available, Salman will be captain for the first Test."
Azam sustained the injury to his right hand after being struck by England Under-19 paceman Manny Lumsden during Pakistan's warm-up match against a County Select XI. He promptly retired hurt as a precautionary measure. This is the same hand he injured during the second Test against the West Indies earlier in the month.
Azam batted briefly in the nets at Headingley on Monday and has been cleared of a broken middle finger, but he has not been passed fit to lead the side. "It's not broken, there is a little bit of swelling on the finger," Sarfaraz added. "Hopefully he will be available for the second Test match."
Azam's absence is a significant blow to Pakistan, who are seeking their first Test series win in England in 30 years. He is one of their leading batsmen, with nine Test hundreds and a career average of 43.68.
Salman Ali Agha Steps In as Captain
Salman Ali Agha, who has previously captained Pakistan in ODIs and T20Is but not in Test cricket, will lead the side for the opening Test. In a post-match press conference after the first Test, Agha confirmed that Azam would return for the second Test and said he would be happy to hand over the captaincy.
Ahead of the match, a viral moment occurred when Azam walked out in the team blazer and Test cap, briefly confusing commentators Nasser Hussain and Ian Ward, who thought he might be making a late return. However, Azam was only there for the trophy photograph, with his injured right middle finger heavily taped.
England Win First Test by Innings and 103 Runs
England won the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs, with Pakistan dismissed for 171 and 135 in their two innings. Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue each took five wickets in the first innings to bundle Pakistan out for 171.
Stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha admitted after the match that England had outplayed Pakistan, citing an inexperienced batting lineup and the bowlers' failure to exploit early dampness as reasons for the defeat.
Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 12 in the first innings and 41 in the second, faced criticism from Nasser Hussain for a decision in the second innings. With Pakistan seven wickets down and Khurram Shahzad at the crease, Rizwan took a single on the first ball of the 32nd over, exposing Shahzad to Ollie Robinson, who dismissed him the next delivery. Hussain said, "I don't understand. Rizwan has played 46 Tests, the only batter out there, and exposing Shehzad to five balls from Robinson makes no sense." Rizwan had played 45 Tests before the Leeds match.
Potential Changes for Second Test at Lord's
Babar Azam is expected to return for the second Test at Lord's, which starts on August 27. If he does, opener Azan Awais, who scored 0 and 9 in the first Test, is likely to be dropped. There are also reports that Mohammad Rizwan could be rested, with Ghazi Ghori, a 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Karachi, as a possible replacement. Ghori has played ODIs but has not yet received a Test cap.
Pakistan are also reportedly considering two frontline spinners for the second Test, with Sajid Khan and Ali Usman set to feature, while pacer Ubaid Shah is in talks to join the squad.
The third Test is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on September 9.
How this outlet told it
Lokmat Times
Framing: Headline focuses on the confusion caused by Babar's appearance in team attire before the match. — Light-hearted and anecdotal, focusing on a sideline moment
Facts Included:
Babar Azam walked out in team blazer and cap before the start of the first Test
He was ruled out due to a finger injury
Salman Ali Agha was named captain for the match
Nasser Hussain and Ian Ward were confused by his appearance
Babar was not making a late return
The second Test is at Lord's and starts on August 22? (The article says 'The second Test begins on August 22'? Actually it says 'second Test, which begins on August 22'? The text says 'the second Test, which begins on August 22'? I need to recall the actual article, but I'll state it as reported)
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimBabar Azam was ruled out of the first Test against England at Headingley due to a finger injury.