Pakistan batter Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka because of a left knee injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board said.
The PCB said a medical panel is examining the injury, and further updates on Babar’s fitness will be issued later.
The PCB said in a statement, “Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to a left knee injury. The team’s medical panel is currently assessing his condition, and further updates will be shared in due course.”
The opening Test is scheduled to begin on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka.
Babar’s absence leaves Pakistan without one of its leading batters for the start of the series. The injury comes after Babar finished PSL 11 as the tournament’s standout performer. He scored 588 runs in 11 innings at an average of 73.02 during the tournament.
Babar also made two centuries and three half-centuries while helping lead his team to the title.
