Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam sustained an injury while training in the nets in preparation for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. The two-match series is set to begin on August 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
As Pakistan gears up for the series, the team has been intensively preparing following a disappointing T20 World Cup 2024. During a recent practice session, Babar Azam, who has been a crucial player for Pakistan, was facing seamer Khurram Shahzad when he was struck on the abdomen. The impact caused Babar Azam considerable pain, forcing him to kneel on the ground. Shahzad, concerned for his teammate, approached him immediately. The session saw Shahzad take Babar Azam’s wicket on the very next delivery, prompting an ecstatic celebration.
Babar Azam, who had a challenging T20 World Cup, was the top run-scorer for his team with 122 runs from four innings, averaging 40.66 with a strike rate of 101.66. Despite these statistics, he struggled to convert promising starts into significant scores, which proved detrimental in critical matches against USA and India.
In Test cricket, Babar Azam’s form has been less impressive. Since 2023, he has accumulated just 253 runs in 11 innings, averaging 23 without any half-centuries. Although he was awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy as ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2022, he has not maintained those high standards in recent times.
With the Bangladesh series approaching, Babar Azam is keen to regain his form and contribute significantly to Pakistan’s campaign. Bangladesh, having arrived in Pakistan ahead of schedule due to political unrest at home, will be preparing rigorously for the series. The two Test matches will be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi, marking the start of a busy Test calendar for both teams.
