Babar Azam ruled out of remainder of England tour
Pakistan middle-order batsman Babar Azam will take no further part in the Test series against England after suffering a fractured forearm.
Babar was struck on an unprotected left forearm by a Ben Stokes bouncer on day two of the first Test at Lord’s and play was stopped for him to receive attention from medical staff.
He top-scored with 68 as the visitors built a 166-run lead, ending the day on a strong 350/8.
He did not go for scans straightaway but did not take the field for the rest of the day.
Scans later revealed a fracture that rules Azam out of action for a minimum of four to six weeks.
“We decided we were going to do a precautionary X-ray at the end of the day’s play,” Cliffe Deacon, the Pakistan team physiotherapist, said. “Unfortunately, the X-ray confirmed there was a fracture.
“The fracture’s in the forearm, it’s one of the two bones in the forearm in the distal third of the arm, just above the wrist. That’s why he couldn’t hold his bat properly.
“Normally with these sort of fractures, recovery varies between four to six weeks.”
With the likes of Usman Salahuddin, Fakhar Zaman and Sami Aslam already in the side, Pakistan have decided against naming a replacement for the second Test, which starts at Headingley from 1 June.
Latest
-
NewsDavid Bedingham ton puts Durham on top against Worcestershire
Dan Ibrahim is one of only two 16-year-old’s to score a half-century in the Championship.
-
NewsBlack Caps bowling coach Shane Jurgensen enjoying Root-De Grandhomme battle
De Grandhomme claimed the crucial wicket of Root in the 2019 World Cup final.
-
NewsReece Topley could miss large chunk of England’s summer limited-overs schedule
The left-arm seamer injured his right side playing for Surrey’s second team.
-
NewsWeather thwarts England and New Zealand on day three at Lord’s
Providing the conditions are dry, play will get under way on Saturday at the usual time of 11am, with 98 overs set to be bowled.
-
NewsRain thwarts England as no play possible before tea on the third day at Lord’s
The home side were waiting to resume on 111 for two in reply to New Zealand’s 378.
-
NewsRain holds up England’s reply in opening Test against New Zealand
When play does get under way, the hosts will resume on 111 for two.
-
NewsBen Brown century rescues Sussex against Yorkshire
Ben Brown, Lewis Gregory, Marcus Harris and Emilio Gay all hit centuries on Thursday.
-
NewsDouble century debut delight for Devon Conway as England fight back at Lord’s
Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson starred with the ball as the home side responded on day two.
-
NewsOllie Robinson praised for resilience after bouncing back on day two of Test
The England seamer faces an investigation over his historical tweets of a racist and sexist nature.
-
NewsDevon Conway hits double century but bowlers bring England back into first Test
The New Zealand batsman marked his debut by scoring 200 as the tourists made 378 at Lord’s.