Babar Azam out of first England Test, Pakistan captaincy in doubt
Synopsis
Pakistan's best batter and captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the Headingley Test opener against England after being struck on the right hand in a tour match — and the PCB has not yet named a replacement skipper. With Pakistan winning just one of ten Tests at this ground and England on a six-match winning streak there, the timing could not be worse.
Key Takeaways
Babar Azam is ruled out of the first Test against England in Leeds after injuring his right hand in a tour match on Saturday .
He was struck by a delivery from pacer Manny Lumsden and retired hurt on five runs .
The stand-in captain will be either Shan Masood or Salman Agha , with the final call resting with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi .
Salman Agha is Pakistan's T20I captain but has no Test captaincy experience , making Masood the frontrunner.
Pakistan have won just 1 of 10 Tests against England at Headingley ; England have won the last 6 Tests at the venue.
Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against England in Leeds after sustaining a hand injury during a tour match, dealing Pakistan a significant blow ahead of the series opener at Headingley on Wednesday. The skipper's absence has thrown the captaincy into uncertainty, with a final call yet to be made.
How the Injury Happened
Babar was struck on his right hand by a delivery from pacer Manny Lumsden while batting for Pakistan against a Professional County Club Select XI in a tour match on Saturday. He retired hurt on five runs as a precautionary measure. Since then, he has only batted remotely with throwdowns and has not been seen in the nets, according to reports.
'Babar has complained of pain in the hand. So it's highly unlikely that he will take the field on Wednesday,' a source said in reports. The assessment leaves Pakistan scrambling for a stand-in leader with barely days to spare.
Who Will Captain Pakistan
According to reports, the two names in contention are Shan Masood and Salman Agha. A final decision will be taken by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. While Agha currently serves as Pakistan's T20I captain, he has no prior experience leading the side in the longer format. That makes Masood the more likely choice, reports indicate.
The Historical Challenge at Headingley
Even at full strength, Pakistan face a stiff task at Headingley. They have won just one of their ten Tests against England at the venue, suffering six defeats. England, meanwhile, have won the last six consecutive Tests at the ground — their most recent defeat there coming against the West Indies in 2017.
Notably, Pakistan's solitary Test win at Headingley came against Australia in 2010, not against the hosts themselves. The combination of a depleted squad and an unfavourable venue record makes this one of the tougher assignments Pakistan have faced in recent England tours.
What Happens Next
The PCB is expected to confirm the stand-in captain before Wednesday's toss. Pakistan will be hoping Babar recovers in time for the later Tests in the series, but his participation in the opener is, by all accounts, ruled out. How the side responds to this leadership disruption — and whether Masood or Agha can hold the dressing room together — will be closely watched from the first session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Babar Azam missing the first Test against England?
Babar Azam sustained a right-hand injury after being hit by a delivery from pacer Manny Lumsden during a tour match against a Professional County Club Select XI on Saturday. He retired hurt on five runs and has since been unable to bat in the nets, making him highly unlikely to play the Leeds Test on Wednesday.
Who will captain Pakistan in Babar Azam's absence?
The captaincy is expected to go to either Shan Masood or Salman Agha, with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi set to make the final call. Agha is Pakistan's T20I captain but lacks Test captaincy experience, making Masood the more likely choice according to reports.
What is Pakistan's Test record at Headingley?
Pakistan have won just one of their ten Tests against England at Headingley, suffering six defeats. England have won the last six consecutive Tests at the ground, with their most recent loss there coming against the West Indies in 2017.
When does the first Pakistan vs England Test begin?
The first Test begins on Wednesday at Headingley in Leeds. Pakistan will enter the match without their captain Babar Azam, pending confirmation of a stand-in skipper from the PCB.
Has Pakistan ever won a Test at Headingley?
Pakistan have won one Test at Headingley, but it came against Australia in 2010 — not against England. Their record against the hosts at the venue remains poor, with six defeats in ten matches.
