LEEDS: Pakistan Test captain Salman Ali Agha led the side at Headingley on Wednesday after a hand injury ruled Babar Azam out of the England series opener.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Salman became the 36th player to captain Pakistan in Test cricket. He had previously led the national side in ODIs and T20Is.
Babar suffered the injury when a ball struck his right hand during Pakistan’s three-day warm-up match in Kent. Team management hopes he can return for the second Test at Lord’s.
Pakistan entered the series after beating a Professional County Cricketers Select XI by seven wickets in Beckenham. Saud Shakeel scored an unbeaten century during the 262-run chase.
England captain Joe Root won the toss at Headingley and chose to bowl first. The England and Wales Cricket Board had earlier confirmed Root’s return as permanent Test captain.
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The three-match series runs from August 19 to September 13. The second Test starts at Lord’s on August 27, while Edgbaston hosts the final Test from September 9. Play at Headingley began at 11 am local time, or 3 pm Pakistan Standard Time.
