Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam, who is also their batting mainstay, has been ruled out of the three-match T20I series against New Zealand, which is scheduled to begin on December 18. The right-hand batsman sustained thumb facture during the training session on Sunday (December 13) in Queenstown.
In his absence, Shadab Khan, who is already carrying groin niggle, will lead the team in this series. Apart from Babar, the opener Imam-ul-Haq has suffered a thumb fracture as well.
Babar Azam’s participation in Tests unsure:
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informed that Babar Azam was being monitored and would take at least 12 days to recover from a thumb fracture. His participation in the two-match Test series, which will begin on December 26, will be confirmed only after his recovery.
“Babar suffered the injury during a throw-down session, following which he was taken to a local hospital where X-rays confirmed the fracture. As such, Babar will be unable to attend nets for, at least, 12 days, meaning he will not be available for the 18, 20 and 22 December T20Is to be played in Auckland, Hamilton and Napier, respectively”, the PCB said.
“During this period, the doctors will continue to monitor Babar’s injury before confirming his participation in the first Test, which starts at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on 26 December.”
Misbah-ul-Haq hopes Babar Azam available for the Test series:
After being in strict quarantine for 14 days and then, not getting a match to play would surely have frustrated Babar Azam. Pakistan’s head coach Misbah-ul-Haq reveals that the skipper was upset because he was rearing to play in the series. However, he hopes that Babar is fit to play the Test series.
“Injuries are part and parcel of professional sport and while it is hugely disappointing to lose a player of Babar Azam’s calibre for the T20Is, this opens up opportunities for the other highly talented and exciting players to step-up, understand their responsibilities and try to prove that the Pakistan side is a complete package,” Misbah said.