Pakistan captain Babar Azam retired hurt on the second day of the tour match against a Professional County Club Select XI after being struck on the hand, ahead of next week’s first Test against England (Geo News).
The blow came on the final delivery of the 39th over, when pacer Manny Lumsden bowled a sharp delivery that struck Babar on the finger. He dropped his bat, received attention from the medical staff and left the field, having made five from 17 balls.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said he was struck on the right hand and, following assessment by the team doctor and as a precaution, has been advised to rest for the remainder of the three-day match at the Kent County Cricket Ground. He is expected to take part in the practice session at Headingley in Leeds on August 17.
It is the second time in a month he has been hit on the hand, after a similar blow during the Test series in the West Indies — the series he finished as leading scorer with 193 runs at 96.50, and in which a shared Player of the Series award took him level with Imran Khan and Wasim Akram on ten across international cricket.
The PCB’s language is precautionary rather than alarmed, and no scan result has been announced. Pakistan open the three-Test series at Headingley on August 19.
