Shan Masood ruled out of second Test vs West Indies with finger fracture
Synopsis
Pakistan's batting woes in the Caribbean just got worse. Shan Masood, their most experienced top-order batter, has been ruled out of the second Test at Queen's Park Oval with a left index finger fracture — and his place in the England series starting 19 August at Leeds is now genuinely uncertain. With Pakistan rooted to the bottom of the WTC table, the selectors must now gamble on an uncapped Awais Zafar or reshuffle a line-up that already failed badly in the first Test.
Key Takeaways
Shan Masood has been ruled out of the second Test against West Indies at Queen's Park Oval , starting Sunday .
He sustained a fracture to the left index finger after being struck by a delivery from Jayden Seales in the first Test.
Pakistan lost the opening Test by 90 runs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad .
Masood's availability for the England Test series beginning 19 August at Leeds is also uncertain, subject to recovery.
Abdullah Shafique , Saud Shakeel , and uncapped Awais Zafar are in contention to fill the vacancy.
Pakistan are currently ninth in the WTC standings , one place below eighth-placed West Indies .
Shan Masood has been ruled out of the second Test between Pakistan and West Indies, starting Sunday at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, after sustaining a fracture to the index finger of his left hand during the opening match in Tarouba. The injury deals a significant blow to Pakistan's already-struggling batting line-up.
How the Injury Happened
Masood was struck on his left index finger by a sharp delivery from West Indies pacer Jayden Seales during the first innings of the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. Pakistan went on to lose that match by 90 runs in what was a dismal batting display throughout the side.
Following a scan and clinical assessment, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed Masood is currently undergoing treatment from the team's medical panel. 'His availability for the first Test against England starting 19 August at Leeds will depend on his recovery and clinical progress. In the meanwhile, he will remain with the team,' the PCB said in an official statement.
England Series Also Under Threat
Beyond the second West Indies Test, the injury has cast serious doubt over Masood's participation in the upcoming England Test series, scheduled to begin on 19 August at Leeds. With less than three weeks between the Queen's Park Oval fixture and the Headingley opener, recovery timelines are tight. The PCB has stopped short of ruling him out of the England series, leaving the door open depending on clinical progress.
Pakistan's Selection Headache
Pakistan's team management now faces a pressing selection dilemma to cover Masood's absence. Experienced batters Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel — both drafted into the squad after Abdullah Fazal was ruled out with a lower back injury ahead of the first Test — are back in contention for a starting berth.
Uncapped right-hander Awais Zafar is also reportedly under consideration and could be handed a Test debut in the second fixture. Notably, this is the second injury-enforced change to Pakistan's batting resources in this series alone, underscoring the fragility of the squad's depth.
Pakistan's WTC Standing Under Pressure
The timing could hardly be worse for Pakistan in the context of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Pakistan currently sit ninth — bottom of the WTC standings — just one position below eighth-placed West Indies. A second consecutive defeat in the Caribbean would further erode their slim chances of mounting any meaningful WTC challenge. This series, already difficult on paper, has become considerably harder without their most experienced top-order batter.
Point of View
Which was already found wanting in the first Test. The fact that this is their second injury-enforced batting change in the same series points to a squad selection problem, not just bad luck. More pressingly, the PCB's carefully worded statement on the England series leaves open a scenario where Pakistan begin a high-profile away series without their captain and most experienced batter. At the bottom of the WTC table, Pakistan cannot afford to treat this tour as a development exercise — yet that may be precisely what it becomes.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Shan Masood been ruled out of the second Test against West Indies?
Shan Masood has been ruled out after sustaining a fracture to the index finger of his left hand, caused by a delivery from West Indies pacer Jayden Seales during the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. A scan and clinical assessment confirmed the injury.
Is Shan Masood's participation in the England Test series also at risk?
Yes. The PCB has stated that Masood's availability for the first Test against England, starting 19 August at Leeds, will depend on his recovery and clinical progress. He will remain with the Pakistan squad in the meantime.
Who could replace Shan Masood in Pakistan's second Test XI?
Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel, both already in the squad, are the frontrunners to replace Masood. Uncapped right-hander Awais Zafar is also reportedly under consideration and could make his Test debut.
Where does Pakistan stand in the World Test Championship?
Pakistan are currently ninth — last in the WTC standings — one position below eighth-placed West Indies. A loss in the second Test would further damage their already slim WTC prospects.
What happened in the first Test between Pakistan and West Indies?
Pakistan lost the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad by 90 runs. The defeat was marked by a poor batting display, and the match also saw Masood suffer the finger injury that has now sidelined him.
