Babar Azam ruled out of Bangladesh Test opener

Pakistan have suffered a major setback ahead of the opening Test against Bangladesh after the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that Babar Azam will miss the series opener because of a left knee injury.

The first Test of the two-match series is scheduled to take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from May 8 to 12.

In a statement released on Thursday, the PCB confirmed that the star batter is currently being assessed by the team’s medical panel, with further updates on his fitness expected in due course.

“Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to a injury in left knee,” the PCB said.

“The team’s medical panel is currently assessing his condition. Further updates will be shared in due course.”

Babar’s absence comes at a significant moment for Pakistan given the form he carried into the Bangladesh tour. The right-hander finished as the leading run-scorer of PSL 11, scoring 588 runs in 11 innings at an average of 73.02 and a strike-rate of 145.90.

His tournament included two centuries and three half-centuries, underlining the consistency that made him one of the standout performers of the competition.

The timing of the injury is particularly notable because Babar had recently spoken about rediscovering his rhythm after producing a commanding century against Islamabad United in the PSL Qualifier, an innings that helped eventual champions Peshawar Zalmi reach the final.

Without Babar, Pakistan’s batting group loses both experience and stability heading into challenging away conditions. His absence also increases the importance of senior figures such as Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel in the middle order.

Pakistan squad for first Test against 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 and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The PCB has not yet confirmed whether Babar Azam could return later in the series, but his absence from the opening Test immediately changes the balance of Pakistan’s batting unit. Given the form he displayed during PSL 11, losing him for the start of the Bangladesh series represents a significant blow for the touring side.

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