LAHORE - Babar Azam will miss Pakistan's opening Test against Bangladesh after sustaining an injury to his left knee, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Thursday. In a statement, the PCB said the team's medical panel is currently assessing the condition of the star batter, while further updates regarding his fitness will be shared in due course.
"Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to an injury in the left knee," the board stated.
Babar's absence comes as a significant setback for Pakistan, particularly after the right-handed batter enjoyed an outstanding campaign in the PSL 11. Representing Peshawar Zalmi, he finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 588 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 73.02 and a strike-rate of 145.90, including two centuries and three half-centuries.
The former Pakistan captain had recently said that he was beginning to feel close to his best form again after producing a match-winning century in the PSL Qualifier against Islamabad United.
