Pakistan’s opener Abdullah Fazal will miss the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies due to a back injury sustained during training prior to the first match, which is scheduled to begin on Saturday. During Pakistan’s practice session at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, where the first Test will be held till July 29, the 23-year-old sustained a lower-back injury.
The Pakistan Cricket Board declared Fazal unfit for both the West Indies series and Pakistan’s upcoming three-match Test tour of England, which will take place from August 19 to September 3, following an MRI scan and advice to begin rehabilitation.
In recent months, Abdullah has proven to be a promising talent for Pakistan.
He has already played two Tests for Pakistan, both of which took place during the May away series against Bangladesh. During that time, he scored 141 runs at 35.25 average, including two half-centuries.
Abdullah made 50 and 48 runs in both innings of Pakistan’s warm-up match against the West Indies Select XI at Queen’s Park Cricket Club, making him a likely starter in the first Test. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, expressed his thoughts on Fazal’s absence.
“I wish Abdullah the best of luck and hope he recovers well. I found his talent really motivating. “He was very confident after his first series, and his morale was very high,” Azam told ICC.
What impact will this injury have on Pakistan’s opening lineups?
Since Abdullah departure, adjustments have been the top focus. Imam-ul-Haq is expected to return after missing Pakistan’s most recent Test match against Bangladesh, which also featured Azan Awais and Fazal. Awais Zafar, a middle-order batsman, makes his debut in Fazal’s absence. Saud Shakeel, who was dropped from the squad due to fitness concerns, was replaced by Zafar.
The first Test against the West Indies begins on Saturday, July 25 in Tarouba. Pakistan will immediately go on a three-match Test tour of England, beginning on August 19. Fazal’s absence from both tours at a critical juncture in his career eliminates a promising prospect.
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