Pakistan's captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opening Test against England at Headingley due to a right hand injury, with Salman Agha taking over the leadership role.
Pakistan will begin its Test series against England without captain Babar Azam, who has been deemed unavailable for the first match at Headingley. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed the decision on the eve of the Test, announcing that Salman Agha would assume captaincy responsibilities in Babar's absence.
The injury affecting Babar stems from a blow sustained during Pakistan's three-day warm-up fixture against Professional County Club Select XI in Beckenham. This latest setback compounds an existing problem, as the captain was already managing an impact injury to the same hand incurred during Pakistan's recent second Test against the West Indies.
While pace bowler Mohammad Abbas had previously indicated that a final determination regarding Babar's participation would be made on the morning of the Leeds Test, Sarfaraz Ahmed moved up the timeline by formally confirming the player's unavailability the day before. The decision ensures clarity for the team's preparation, though it leaves Pakistan without its regular leader for the opening encounter of the series.
