Cricket: Pakistan loses star hitter Babar Azam to T20 series to Black Caps

Pakistan took a hit before their T20 series with the Black Caps, losing captain Babar Azam to a hand injury.

Azam suffered a broken right thumb during a practice session Sunday morning. X-rays confirmed the injury and as a result, Azam has been ruled out of the three-game T20 series.

Pakistan will face the Black Caps on December 18, 20 and 22 in Auckland, Hamilton and Napier.

“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 the other highly talented and exciting players to move forward, understand their responsibilities and try to demonstrate that the Pakistani side is a complete package, “Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq said.

It is the latest setback in what has already been a tumultuous tour for the Pakistan team. On Saturday, the team lost Imam-ul-Haq to a broken left thumb during a takedown session and was recommended to observe a 12-day rest period, while T20I vice captain Shadab Khan also has a groin problem. , which limited his participation in Sunday’s net sessions to hitting only.

It all comes after the team made headlines of several of its members testing positive for Covid-19 while in quarantine in Christchurch, while team members were also caught breaking quarantine restrictions.

Azam’s loss to the T20 series is a considerable loss for the Pakistan team, with Azam ranked as the world’s No. 2 hitter in the T20 internationals.

His absence would be even more critical to the test series, with doctors monitoring his injury before confirming his participation in the first test, which begins at Mount Maunganui, on Boxing Day.

“He is sad to miss the T20I series as he was completely focused and eager to see the T20I,” said ul-Haq. “We have a long cricket season ahead of us and now we hope that he will regain his full fitness as soon as possible so that he can return to competitive cricket.”

“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 believe he needs a few more days to get back into full shape . “