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Only a day after retaining a top 10 place in the ICC Raankings for the for the Test format batters, Pakistan National Cricket Team captain Babar Azam suffered an injury ahead of their Test series against England.
After the conclusion of a two-match Test series against West Indies, the Pakistan cricket team is currently preparing to take on England for a three-match Test series, starting on August 19 in Leeds.
Babar Azam retired hurt after being hit by the ball ahead of the England vs Pakistan Test series.
As part of the preparations for the contest, the Men in Green were up against PCC Select XI in a warm-up match. Babar Azam was batting with 5 runs when an incoming fast delivery smashed his right hand. The delivery was quick, and it hit directly on the batter's gloves.
Because of the sheer pain, Babar threw his bat immediately on the ground to remove his gloves to take a look at the injured right hand. Team physio quickly rushed onto the ground to check the batter. Babar Azam could not carry on the innings after being hit by the ball. His fitness is now under the scanner as he had to retire hurt from the warm-up match.
Watch the delivery that forced Babar to walk off the ground:
Babar Azam retired hurt after being hit on the hand during the warm-up match. pic.twitter.com/Yw2kRwY9Fw
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) August 14, 2026
Why the injury of Babar Azam is a serious threat for the Pakistan cricket team?
The upcoming Test series against England is crucial for the Pakistan cricket team as they have just brought the momentum back in the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27 (WTC 2025-27) cycle, defeating West Indies in their previous fixture.
Before heading to England, the Pakistan cricket team, led by Babar Azam, registered an 8-wicket victory in Port of Spain. Babar was named the best player of the series for securing a couple of half-centuries in two matches.
Before playing a match-winning 88 and an unbeaten 24-run knock in Port of Spain, the versatile batter got 23 and an unbeaten 58-run innings in the first match of the recently concluded series against West Indies in Tarouba. As Babar is among the in-form batters and the captain of the team, expectations are on him in England as well.
Professional County Club Select XI vs Pakistan, a 3 -Day Warm-up match
Babar got a recent injury while batting against the PCC Select XI's fast bowler Manny Lumsden. In the 39th over of Pakistan's first innings, Babar injured himself, and as of now, he remains on the sidelines, and there is no official statement on the injury either.
Batting first, PCC Select XI scored 305 runs with half-centuries from the captain Tom Haines, Caleb Falconer, Saif Zaib, and Matthew Fisher. For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali took 3 wickets each, and a brace claimed by Khurram Shahzad.
For the PCC Select XI, Matthew Fisher is so far deliveried the best, taking a wicket only for an economy rate of 1.10.
