Babar Azam ruled out of first Test against Bangladesh

MIRPUR: Pakistan star batter Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opening Test against Bangladesh, set to begin tomorrow at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the ace batter will not be part of the Playing XI due to a left-knee injury.

“Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to a injury in left knee,” the press release statement said.

The statement further said that his injury is currently being assessed, with further updates to be shared soon.

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“The team’s medical panel is currently assessing his condition. Further updates will be shared in due course,” it added.

The first of the two matches – part of the ICC World Test Championship will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May, while Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test, which will be played from 16 to 20 May.

In the current World Test Championship (WTC) standings, Bangladesh are placed eighth, having registered one defeat and one draw from two matches, with a win percentage of 16.67.

Pakistan, meanwhile, sit fifth with one win and one loss, holding 12 points and a 50 percent win ratio.

Squads

Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Bangladesh (first Test): Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan, and Amite Hasan.

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