- Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the upcoming first Test match against England at Headingley after failing to recover from a hand injury sustained during a warm-up game at Beckenham.
- Off-spinning all-rounder Salman Agha will step up to captain the national side in Test cricket for the first time in Babar Azam's absence, as confirmed by head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed.
- The Pakistan team management remains optimistic that Babar Azam will be fit enough to return to the side for the second Test at Lord's next week.
- Middle-order batter Saud Shakeel is in line to return to the Pakistan starting XI alongside Shan Masood, who is also primed to return following an injury layout.
- The fixture comes at a critical juncture for both nations , with Pakistan currently sitting second from bottom in the World Test Championship standings, just one place behind England.
IN FULL
Pakistan dealt injury blow as captain Babar Azam ruled out of first Test against England
