Pakistan are sweating over the availability of captain Babar Azam for the second Test against England at Lord’s beginning Thursday, with a finger injury continuing to hamper his ability to grip the bat.
A source close to the team said on Tuesday that swelling around Babar’s injured finger has made batting uncomfortable, leaving his participation in the crucial Test uncertain.
Babar Faces Fitness Test
Babar initially injured his finger while batting in the second Test against the West Indies before Pakistan’s tour of England.
The injury worsened when he attempted to bat in a three-day practice game against the Counties XI in Kent. He was struck on the same finger and retired from the match.
As a result, Babar missed Pakistan’s opening Test at Leeds, where England completed an innings and 103-run victory inside three days. Salman Ali Agha led Pakistan in his absence.
“The team management will see if Babar is comfortable batting in the nets tomorrow, but it is a sort of injury where the final decision must come from the player himself,” the source said.
Pakistan Consider Spin-Heavy Attack
Pakistan are also considering fielding both Ali Usman and Sajid Khan at Lord’s as they look to level the series.
The team management believes the pitch could be sluggish and offer assistance to the spinners, prompting a possible change in bowling combination.
Pakistan’s pace trio of Muhammad Abbas, Khurrum Shehzad and Muhammad Ali struggled to make an impact in the first Test, strengthening the case for an additional spinner.
Spinners Key To Pakistan’s Hopes
Ali Usman impressed despite Pakistan’s heavy defeat at Leeds, claiming five wickets for 98 runs during England’s only innings.
Sajid was equally influential in Pakistan’s previous series against the West Indies, taking eight wickets in the second Test as Pakistan levelled the two-match series 1-1.
Pakistan have increasingly relied on their spinners in Test cricket, with all their victories since December 2023 coming through the efforts of Noman Ali, Sajid Khan or Usman.
With Babar’s availability still uncertain, Pakistan will hope their spin department can once again provide the platform for a series-levelling victory at Lord’s.
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