Babar Azam ruled out of first Bangladesh Test due to knee injury

DHAKA: Pakistan star batter Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against Bangladesh national cricket team after sustaining a knee injury.

According to the team management, Babar Azam will miss the opening Test due to the injury, while the Pakistan team’s medical staff is currently assessing his condition.

Officials said further updates regarding the batter’s fitness and recovery will be shared later.

The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to begin tomorrow at Mirpur, Dhaka, as part of the ICC World Test Championship.

This will be Pakistan’s second series in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood said the pitch appears favourable for fast bowlers, adding that the final playing XI will be decided after a last inspection of the surface.

Earlier, the trophy for the upcoming Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh national cricket team was officially unveiled on Wednesday in Dhaka.

The ceremony took place at Dhaka Stadium, where Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood and Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto jointly revealed the trophy.

The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to begin tomorrow at Mirpur, Dhaka, while the second Test will be played from May 16 in Sylhet.

Pakistan’s Test squad, led by Shan Masood, includes players such as Abdullah Shafique, Hassan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

In addition, Azan Awais and Imad Butt are also part of the squad for the tour.

Former Pakistan Test captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been appointed as head coach for the Bangladesh tour, while former cricketers Asad Shafiq and Umar Gul will serve as batting and bowling coaches respectively.