Pakistan face England in the first Test of their three-match series at Headingley in Leeds on Wednesday. The visitors though have faced an issue before the start of the match, with the fitness of their captain, Babar Azam, being a major concern.<\/p>\n
Pakistan comes into the match on the back of a drawn series in the West Indies last month. England, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back after losing their home Test series 2-1 to New Zealand.<\/p>\n
AI-generated summary, reviewed by editors<\/p>\n
Both teams have a lot on the line in the upcoming matches, as the World Test Championship is on the horizon. Pakistan are currently eighth in the nine-team WTC 2025-27 table while England are just one position above their rivals in seventh place.<\/p>\n
However, Pakistan's WTC hopes were dealt a significant blow ahead of the match when their captain, Babar Azam, suffered an injury to his left hand during a practice match against a Professional County Club Select XI last week. He was hit on his bottom hand by England's Under-19 pace bowler, Manny Lumsden, and had to retire hurt after being assessed by the team doctor.<\/p>\n
The injury to his left hand is of particular concern to Pakistan as the Pakistan captain had faced a similar injury with the same hand on his recent West Indies tour.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Babar Azam warmed up for the Test against England as he was seen batting on Monday at Headingley, albeit the Pakistan captain's stay at the crease was short-lived. The management is yet to declare the Pakistan captain fit to face the first Test match against England.<\/p>\n
Babar Azam was in great form during Pakistan's previous Test match, against the West Indies, scoring just 12 runs short of a century.<\/p>\n
With the first Test match between Pakistan and England only days away, the visitors hope that their captain's injury is not serious and that he will be fit to lead the team in their crucial matches against England.<\/p>\n