Pakistan are hopeful Babar Azam will be available for the second Test against England at Lord’s after he came through a positive training session, bowling coach Umar Gul said (Geo News).
“Babar batted in the nets, faced fast bowlers, spinners and throwdowns,” Gul told reporters. “We’re hopeful he will be available for the game and today he was looking good; he batted well in the nets. He had a full batting session.”
The injury
Babar injured his finger during the West Indies series, then aggravated it after being struck during Pakistan’s warm-up match at Beckenham.
He missed the first Test at Headingley, which England won by an innings and 103 runs.
Why it matters
Pakistan were bowled out twice in fewer than 86 overs at Headingley — 171 and 135.
Babar was Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the preceding series against the West Indies, with 193 runs including two half-centuries. A batting order that collapsed twice inside three days is the specific problem his return addresses.
The other changes
Sources have indicated that if Babar returns, top-order batter Azan Awais is likely to be dropped. Awais made nine in the second innings at Headingley.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan could be rested despite top-scoring in the second innings with 41. Pakistan are also considering two spinners, with Ubaid Shah under consideration — an idea supported by Ali Usman’s maiden five-wicket haul at Headingley, the first by an overseas spinner there since 1972.
England have dropped Brydon Carse from the squad pending an investigation into an incident in Derby. Sonny Baker replaces him.
The Test begins on August 27.
