Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has returned to training ahead of the team’s upcoming three-match series against England, boosting hopes of his availability for the opening Test in Leeds from Aug 19.
The left-handed batter injured his finger during the first Test of Pakistan’s recent series against the West Indies in the Caribbean and missed the second match, which Pakistan won by eight wickets to level the series 1-1.
Masood joined the rest of the squad in training at Kent County Cricket Club in Beckenham on Tuesday, taking part in batting drills under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.
“The national Test squad took part in a practice session at Kent County Cricket Club in Beckenham. The players participated in batting and bowling net practice during the session,” the Pakistan camp said.
It added that Masood also participated in the session and completed batting practice under medical supervision.
Pakistan, currently eighth in the World Test Championship standings, will play a three-day tour match against a Professional County Club Select XI in Beckenham before the opening Test.
The warm-up fixture was initially scheduled as a four-day match beginning on Aug 12 but has been shortened to three days and will start on Aug 13.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s recent success in the West Indies has been reflected in the latest ICC Test rankings, with Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique and Sajid Khan making significant gains.
Babar scored 88 in the first innings of the second Test and remained unbeaten on 24 in the chase as Pakistan secured an eight-wicket victory. The performance lifted him five places to 10th among Test batters.
It marked Babar’s return to the top 10 for the first time since September 2024.
Abdullah made an even bigger jump after scoring an unbeaten 160 in the first innings. He climbed 25 places to 32nd in the Test batting rankings.
Spinner Sajid Khan was Pakistan’s leading bowler in the match, moving up five places to 30th among Test bowlers. He also climbed five places to 32nd in the all-rounders’ rankings.
Australia’s Travis Head retained the top spot among Test batters, while India’s leading fast bowler remained No. 1 in the bowling rankings. India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja continued to lead the Test all-rounders’ list.
