Babar Azam has been ruled out of Pakistan’s first Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur, starting May 8, with an injury to his left knee. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a press release to inform that he was being assessed by the team’s medical panel and further updates will be shared in due course.
There is no official word on the extent of injury and whether he would be able to feature in the second Test, starting May 16 in Sylhet. The injury to Babar is a major setback for Pakistan. Babar looked in supreme touch throughout the course of the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The 31-year-old played 11 games in the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League. He aggregated 588 runs and finished as the leading run-getter in the tournament. His runs came at an astounding average of 73.50. But what stood out the most was his ball striking.
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Often criticised severely for his strike rate, Babar accumulated his runs at a strike rate of 145.90. He also struck two centuries in the season and three fifties. The right-handed batter smashed 60 fours and 15 sixes in the season. His tally of 60 fours was the most by a player in the season.
He was also spot on in terms of his captaincy and led Peshawar Zalmi to their second PSL title. This was Babar’s first PSL trophy as captain. The first Test against the Bangla Tigers on Friday will be the first away red-ball contest that Babar will miss since January 2021.
Pakistan look to avenge series loss at home
Pakistan do not have fond memories of the last time they met Bangladesh in the longest format of the game. It was Pakistan’s first-ever loss to Bangladesh in a Test match and they were eventually blanked 2-0 at home in 2024.
Pakistan are fifth on the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 points table. They have won one and lost as many in the two Tests they have played in the cycle. Their PCT (points percentage system) is 50.00. Meanwhile, Bangladesh are down at eight with one loss and a draw in two matches. Their PCT is 16.67.
