Babar Azam suffers hand injury ahead of England Test series

Pakistan captain Babar Azam suffered a hand injury during a warm-up match against the Professional County Club Select XI ahead of next week’s Test series against England.

Babar retired hurt after scoring five runs on the second day of the three-day match on Friday after being struck on his right hand.

A Pakistan team spokesperson confirmed that Babar would not take any further part in the warm-up game. However, he is expected to join the team’s practice session at Headingley Cricket Ground on Monday.

Pakistan will begin its three-Test series against England at Headingley on Wednesday. Babar recently led Pakistan in the two-match Test series against the West Indies, which ended 1-1.

Pakistan were bowled out for 238 in reply to the County Select XI’s first-innings total of 305. England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir claimed four wickets for 76 runs, while 17-year-old Manny Lumsden took two for 24.