Abdullah Fazal ruled out of West Indies and England Tests
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the 23-year-old sustained the injury on Thursday during a training session at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, where the opening Test against the West Indies is set to be played.
The PCB said an MRI scan and clinical assessment confirmed that Fazal would require a period of rehabilitation. However, the board has not yet announced a replacement for the young batter. Abdullah Fazal has impressed since making his Test debut against Bangladesh in May. He was Pakistan’s highest scorer in his debut Test, scoring half-centuries in both innings.
He also continued his fine form during Pakistan’s tour match against a West Indies Select XI earlier this week, remaining unbeaten with scores of 50 and 48. His performances had made him a certain starter for the first Test.
His injury is expected to pave the way for middle-order batter Awais Zafar to make his Test debut. Zafar was added to the squad as a replacement for Saud Shakeel, who was left out of the tour due to fitness concerns.
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Meanwhile, Imam-ul-Haq is expected to return as Pakistan’s opening batter after missing the previous Test against Bangladesh, in which Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais opened the innings. The PCB did not disclose how Fazal sustained the injury during training but confirmed that the team’s medical panel had recommended a period of rehabilitation before he returns to competitive cricket.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his support for the injured batter, saying, “I wish Abdullah good luck and hope he recovers well. The kind of talent he is, I find very inspiring. He was very confident after his first series, and his morale was very high.”
The injury comes as a major setback for the young opener, who was hoping to cement his place in the national side during two important overseas Test tours. After completing the two-match Test series in the West Indies, Pakistan will travel to England for a three-match Test series in August.
