Watch: Babar Azam suffers injury during practice ahead of Bangladesh series

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 10:09:28 GMT

In a significant setback for Pakistan, star batter Babar Azam sustained an injury during a practice session as the team gears up for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. The two-match series is scheduled to commence on August 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Babar Azam’s injury during intense net session

As Pakistan prepares to bounce back from a disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, the team has been working hard in the nets. Babar Azam, a key player for Pakistan, was putting in the effort ahead of the crucial series when the unfortunate incident occurred. During a net session, the former captain faced seamer Khurram Shahzad, only to be struck on the abdomen by a delivery, causing him to double over in pain.

The blow left Babar visibly distressed, prompting Shahzad to check on the star batter’s condition. Despite the injury, Babar continued to face Shahzad, but was bowled out on the very next delivery, further adding to the tension as Shahzad celebrated the dismissal.

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Struggles and expectations for Babar Azam

Babar Azam’s recent form in international cricket has been under scrutiny. Although he emerged as Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in the T20 World Cup with 122 runs from four innings at an average of 40.66, his performances were below expectations, especially in crucial matches against the USA and India, where he struggled to convert his starts into substantial scores.

In Test cricket, Babar has also been facing a rough patch since 2023. The 29-year-old has managed to score only 253 runs from 11 innings at an average of 23, without registering a single half-century. This is a stark contrast to his previous performances, particularly when he was awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy as the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2022.

As the Lahore-born cricketer looks to regain his form, the upcoming series against Bangladesh presents an opportunity for redemption. Pakistan will be aiming to secure crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points, and Babar’s performance will be pivotal to the team’s success.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh arrived in Pakistan four days ahead of the series, a decision influenced by the ongoing political unrest in their country. The two Tests will be contested in Rawalpindi and Karachi, marking the beginning of an intense Test calendar for both teams. As Pakistan strives for a strong start, all eyes will be on Babar Azam to see if he can overcome his recent challenges and lead his team to victory.