Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test of the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh.
Babar Azam ruled out of first Test against Bangladesh
Pakistan are currently on a two-Test tour of Bangladesh, with the first match scheduled to start on Friday, May 8, in Mirpur. However, they have been dealt a major blow ahead of the Test, with Babar set to miss due to a knee injury.
“Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to an injury in his left knee,” the PCB announced in a statement. “The team's medical panel is currently assessing his condition. Further updates will be shared in due course.”
Babar Azam led the Peshawar Zalmi to the PSL 2026 title on Sunday (May 3), also finishing as the tournament’s top run-getter with 588 runs. He joined the Pakistan Test squad in Bangladesh on Monday and took part in full training for two days before complaining of discomfort in his left knee, as per ESPNCricinfo, following which he was withdrawn from the squad for the first Test.
One of the two uncapped top-order batters named in the Pakistan squad, Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais, could replace Babar in the XI. The duo have been picked on the back of superb performances in the domestic circuit.
Also read: Who are the four uncapped players named in the Pakistan squad for Bangladesh Tests?
Pakistan squad for first Test vs Bangladesh
Shan Masood (c), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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