Karachi, May 12 (PTI) Pakistan’s top batter Babar Azam, who missed the first Test against Bangladesh due to a knee injury, is expected to join the playing XI for the second match from May 18.
Babar missed out on the first Test, which Pakistan lost on Tuesday by 104 runs with the batting crumbling for just 163 runs in the second innings while chasing 267 runs.
Babar, who is Pakistan’s leading run-getter among the current lot, had to sit out of the first Test after complaining of knee pain a day before the first Test.
The former captain has now resumed batting in the nets under the supervision of the team physiotherapist and trainer in Dhaka but the Pakistan team management is yet to officially confirm his availability for the second Test.
A source close to the team said that Babar had faced no knee pain or discomfort after batting in the nets and with another five days to go for the second Test, he is expected to make the playing XI.
Many in the cricket circles were surprised at the sudden withdrawal of Babar from the Test due to his injury as he played without any issues in the Pakistan Super League.
Pakistan’s management was banking heavily on Babar for the first Test as he had come from a prolific season in the Pakistan Super League, scoring two hundreds to lead Peshawar Zalmi to the title as well.
Babar has overall played 346 international matches for Pakistan in which he has hit 32 centuries across formats. PTI Cor AH AH
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