Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Babar Azam's England Test Spot in Doubt After Finger Injury
Babar Azam is the captain of Pakistan's cricket team.
He hurt the middle finger on his right hand while practicing.
A fast bowler's ball hit his hand during a warm-up game.
He had hurt the same hand before during a trip to the West Indies.
The team doctor told him to rest for now.
He came back to practice on Monday at Headingley Cricket Ground.
He batted a little but not for very long.
The team will decide on match day if he can play against England.
Pakistan really wants him to play because he is their captain and an important batter.
Babar Azam injured the middle finger of his right hand during Pakistan's warm-up match against a Professional County Club Select XI.
The injury occurred when a rising delivery from England Under-19 pacer Manny Lumsden hit his bottom hand while he was batting on five.
Babar had previously suffered a problem with the same hand during Pakistan's tour of the West Indies.
Babar returned to training on Monday and batted in the nets at Headingley Cricket Ground, though his session was short.
Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas said a final decision on Babar's availability will be made on match day following medical advice.
- Who
- Babar Azam, Pakistan's Test captain
- What
- Suffered a middle-finger injury to his right hand, putting his participation in the first Test against England in doubt
- When
- During Pakistan's warm-up match ahead of the first Test, scheduled for August 19-23
- Where
- Headingley Cricket Ground
- Why
- A rising delivery from England Under-19 pacer Manny Lumsden hit his bottom hand while he was batting
- Player
- Babar Azam
- Injury
- Middle finger, right hand
- Incident
- Hit by a delivery from Manny Lumsden during warm-up match
- Opponent
- England (Test series)
- First Test
- August 19-23, Headingley
- Second Test
- August 27-31, Lord's
- Third Test
- September 9-13
- Captaincy
- Recently re-appointed as Pakistan's Test captain