Pakistan lose captain Babar Azam to fractured thumb for New Zealand T20Is

Babar Azam is the second-ranked T20I batsman in the world. (File)

Pakistan’s hopes suffered a big blow on Sunday when captain Babar Azam was ruled out of the three-match T20I series against New Zealand after fracturing his right thumb during a practice session.

The batting mainstay will not be able to attend practice for at least 12 days, the Pakistan Cricket Board said, and he faces a race against time to be fit for the opening match of the two-Test series from Dec. 26.

“I have spoken with Babar and he is sad to miss the T20I series, as he was fully focused and keenly looking forward to the T20Is,” Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said about the second-ranked T20I batsman in the world.

“We have a long season of cricket ahead and we now hope that he regains complete fitness as early as possible so that he can return to competitive cricket,” Misbah said in a statement.

Babar’s injury came a day after top-order batsman Imam-ul-Haq fractured his left thumb, also during a practice session. Pakistan’s T20I vice-captain Shadab Khan was also carrying a groin niggle, the cricket board said.

The first T20I will be played in Auckland on Friday.

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