Babar Azam will lead Pakistan in the second Test against England after recovering from hand injury.
The second Test of the three-match series will be played at Lord’s from August 27 to 31.
Speaking to reporters at the pre-match press conference, Babar said he has completed two training sessions after 90% recovery from the hand injury and was due to undergo another practice session after the media briefing.
The star batter stated that he was confident about reaching full fitness before the match.
Babar missed the opening Test in Leeds after injuring his hand during Pakistan’s three-day practice match against the Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI in Beckenham earlier this month.
The injury occurred during Pakistan’s first innings when pacer Manny Lumsden delivered a sharp ball that struck Babar on the finger in the 39th over. The batter, who had made five runs off 17 balls, immediately showed signs of discomfort, dropped his bat and left the field after receiving treatment from the medical team.
The incident was the second time within a month that Babar had taken a blow to his hand, following a similar injury during Pakistan’s Test series against the West Indies..
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) subsequently confirmed that its medical team had advised Babar to sit out the remainder of the practice match as a precaution.
