Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand starting on Sunday. Yesterday, Azam participated in the training session but felt pain in his right thumb.
Keeping in mind Pakistan’s upcoming packed cricket schedule, the management has decided not to take any risk. Muhammad Rizwan will once again lead the side.
Team Doctor Dr Sohail Saleem: “We have seen improvement in Babar Azam’s injury but he is yet to fully recover. He is our captain and the most important batsman in the lineup, so we do not want to take any risk.
“The medical team is constantly reviewing his injury and we are hopeful he will be available for the home series against South Africa.”
Last month, Babar Azam suffered a fracture in his right thumb during a practice session which also ruled him out of the T20 leg of the series. The management is hopeful that he will be available for the home series against South Africa starting January 26.
Pakistan squad for the second Test against New Zealand:
Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah and Zafar Gohar
