Babar Azam Sidelined for Remainder of Practice Match Due to Hand Injury

Babar Azam will not participate further in Pakistan’s three-day practice match against PCC Select XI at Kent County Cricket Club after suffering a blow to his right hand. This decision comes as a precautionary measure following his injury during the match.

The Pakistan captain was batting on 5* in the morning session of day two when he was struck by a rising delivery from Manny Lumsden. Following the impact, Babar immediately threw his bat to the ground in visible pain and walked off the field, removing his glove. He did not resume batting.

A media release from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated, “Following an assessment by the team doctor and taking precautionary measures, Babar has been advised to take rest from the remainder of the practice match.” It was also confirmed that he will join the team for practice on Monday, August 17, at Headingley Cricket Ground in preparation for the first Test against England, commencing August 19.

Footage of the incident quickly spread across social media, raising concerns about Babar’s availability for the upcoming Test series. Notably, he had previously sustained a similar injury to the same hand while batting on the third day of the second Test against the West Indies, which Pakistan won by eight wickets. In that match, Babar notably hit two consecutive sixes off Jomel Warrican while nursing an apparent injury; he later performed end-of-match handshakes with his left hand to avoid putting stress on his right index finger, which was visibly taped.

Babar’s injury marks the second incident involving a Pakistani player sustaining a hand injury while batting in the West Indies. Shan Masood had also suffered a blow to his hand during the first Test that ruled him out of the second match. He has since recovered from a hairline fracture in his index finger and resumed training with the team in England.

As of now, Pakistan is batting second after PCC Select XI scored 305 on day one of the practice match.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn