BAN vs PAK 1st Test: Why is Babar Azam not playing against Bangladesh?
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BAN vs PAK 1st Test: Why is Babar Azam not playing against Bangladesh? originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Babar Azam missed Pakistan's first Test match against Bangladesh due to a left knee injury.
- The injury was confirmed following an MRI scan conducted in Dhaka.
- It remains to be seen whether Babar Azam will play in the second Test.
Why has Babar Azam been ruled out of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1st Test?
Pakistan received a setback before their first Test in the two-match Test series 2026 against Bangladesh as Babar Azam has been ruled out due to an injury to his left knee.
As per reports, Babar arrived in Dhaka shortly after he won PSL 11 with Peshawar Zalmi for first Test match on May 8 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka.
However, on Thursday he developed discomfort in his knee; and after conducting an MRI scan, the medical panel concluded that it would be wise not to play him in the first Test.
While there have been no updates about the player’s fitness in the second Test match, which will take place in Sylhet towards the end of the month.
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Who replaced Babar Azam in Pakistan’s batting lineup
Babar’s unavailability is unfortunate for Pakistan, as they had been counting on him to continue his good run of form into the Tests. He was in great form during the Pakistan Super League, back to his "best" in his own admission and helping Zalmi lift the trophy.
In his absence, Pakistan will have to rely more on players like Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, and skipper Shan Masood to steady the middle order in the face of an improving Bangladesh team on their own turf.
Bangladesh has a special reason to look forward to this encounter, as they humbled Pakistan in a 2-0 sweep in their last Test series back in 2024.
Pakistan playing XI in first Test vs Bangladesh
Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
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The Cricket News Opinion: Pakistan’s batters must step up in Babar Azam’s absence
Babar Azam's absence from the first Test marks a significant shift in their batting strategy. While he may not have had success in Test cricket lately, Babar is still the best technically sound batter in the team, and he can handle the pressure of playing away from home.
In Pakistan’s Test series against South Africa in 2025, Babar Azam scored 139 runs in two matches with an average of 69.5 runs per innings, including two 50s and a maximum of 81 runs, besides bringing up 3,000 runs to his name in the ICC World Test Championship.
The team still has the talent to beat Bangladesh, but without him, any small mistake could cost them the match.
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