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The Pakistan National Cricket Team was hit by a major setback before the ongoing two-match Test series against the West Indies. Young batter Abdullah Fazal has been ruled out with an injury, and this has almost cleared the way for Abdullah Shafique to return to the Test team.
Shafique has been waiting for another chance in the Pakistan team, and now the injury to Fazal could help him make a comeback in the middle of the ongoing Test series against the West Indies. Amid this, Shaheen Afridi lodges complaint after omission from LPL 2026 match.
Abdullah Fazal suffers serious back injury
Abdullah Fazal suffered the lower back injury during a training session at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad on July 23. He was preparing with the Pakistan team when he hurt his lower back. After the injury, Fazal underwent an MRI scan and a full medical examination.
The Pakistan team's medical staff confirmed that he has an acute lower back injury and will now need proper rehabilitation before returning to cricket. As a result, Fazal has been ruled out of Pakistan's ongoing two-match Test series against the West Indies.
He will also miss the upcoming three-match Test series against England. The PCB had stated: “Following an MRI scan and clinical assessment, the team’s medical panel confirmed that Abdullah will require a period of rehabilitation and has therefore been ruled out of both assignments.”
Abdullah Shafique set for Pakistan Test comeback after Abdullah Fazal's injury blow
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet officially announced his replacement for Abdullah Fazal, but it is being said that Abdullah Shafique is expected to be brought back into the Test squad for the upcoming matches. Amid this, Mehidy Hasan opens up on Bangladesh missing the T20 World Cup 2026.
Abdullah Shafique is all set to be brought back to the Test side after his outstanding performances in domestic cricket. He scored a huge 911 runs in the President's Trophy Grade-II Gold tournament. He averaged an impressive 82.82 and also smashed three centuries during the competition.
ABDULLAH SHAFIQUE is set to return to Pakistan's Test squad as a replacement for Abdullah Fazal, who has been ruled out with a lower back injury. ABD recently scored a bulk of 911 (red-ball) runs at avg 82.82, including 3 centuries in the President's Trophy Grade-II Gold.
— Umar Farooq Kalson (@kalson) July 25, 2026
Those brilliant numbers have made him one of the strongest contenders for a place in Pakistan's Test team. If he gets the official call-up, Abdullah Shafique will have a golden chance to prove himself again at the international level and strengthen Pakistan's batting line-up in the upcoming Tests.
The right-handed batter has already played 24 Tests and 27 ODIs so far for Pakistan, scoring 1610 runs and 737 runs, respectively. He last played for Pakistan back in October 2025.
Pakistan bowlers dominate Day 1
Meanwhile, Pakistan bowlers made a strong start on Day 1 of the first Test against the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, as the touring side restricted the hosts to 194/3 in 67 overs. Rain and bad light reduced the day's play, but Pakistan kept the pressure on throughout.
Mohammad Abbas starred with 2 wickets, while Aamir Jamal picked up one. For the West Indies, Kavem Hodge remained unbeaten on 83, and Shai Hope was not out on 39, with both already stitching an unbeaten 88-run partnership in the ongoing first Test.
