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Pakistan captain Babar Azam reacts during a team training session at the Queenstown Events Center.
Pakistan suffered a severe blow in its T20 series against the Black Caps after star hitter and captain Babar Azam broke his right thumb during a takedown session in training in Queenstown on Sunday.
The injury immediately ruled out Babar from the T20s in Auckland, Hamilton and Napier to be held on December 18, December 20 and December 22, the Pakistan Cricket Board said, and he now faces a race to be the first test at Bay Oval. Mount Maunganui, on Boxing Day.
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T20 vice captain Shadab Khan is struggling with a groin injury that limited his participation in Sunday’s networking session.
“Injuries are an integral part of professional sport and while it is very disappointing to lose a player of Babar Azam’s caliber to the T20I, this opens up opportunities for other highly talented and exciting players to move forward, understand their responsibilities and try to show that the Pakistan’s side is a complete package, ”Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq said in a statement.
“I have spoken to Babar and he is sad to miss the T20I series as he was completely focused and eager to see the T20I.
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“We have a long cricket season ahead of us and now we expect him to regain full fitness as soon as possible so he can get back to competitive cricket.”
Pakistan had already suffered an injury on Saturday, and Imam-ul-Haq also broke his thumb during a takedown session.
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Meanwhile, Pakistan T20 vice captain Shadab Khan has a groin problem, limiting his participation in Sunday’s net sessions to batting.
Shadab remains in doubt for the first match of the T20 in Auckland.
“The medical team is monitoring Shadab Khan’s groin discomfort and we remain optimistic that he will be available for the T20Is, but we will not jeopardize his or the team’s opportunities if we think he needs a few more days to get back in full shape. , ”Misbah said.
