Babar Azam Moves Closer to Injury Return Following Training Session
Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, is on the verge of making a comeback for the second Test against England at Lord’s, after successfully completing a training session this week, which has elevated hope regarding his recovery from a recent finger injury. Umar Gul, the team’s bowling coach, provided this update on Tuesday, indicating that Babar’s performance during the nets has been promising.
Babar sustained his injury amidst the series against the West Indies and further aggravated it during a warm-up match at Beckenham. Due to this setback, he missed the first Test, which England won decisively by an innings and 103 runs. “During the nets, Babar faced a variety of bowling, including fast bowlers, spinners, and practice throwdowns. We’re optimistic about his availability for the upcoming match,” Gul stated to the press. “Today, he displayed a good batting form during his full session.”
The potential return of Babar is particularly crucial for the Pakistan team, especially in the wake of their batting weaknesses exposed during the first Test at Headingley, where they were dismissed in less than 86 overs during both innings. His absence was felt profoundly as he had been the leading run-scorer in the preceding Test series against the West Indies, where he amassed 193 runs, including two half-centuries.
Currently, England leads the three-match Test series 1-0, with the second Test set to kick off on Thursday, heightening the stakes for both teams.
