Pakistan batter Babar Azam has been advised to rest for the remainder of the ongoing tour match against a PCC Select XI after sustaining a hand injury while batting, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.
Babar was struck while batting on the second day of the match at Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham. Following an assessment by the team doctor, he was advised to take precautionary rest.
The PCB said Babar was expected to join Pakistan’s practice session at Headingley Cricket Ground on Monday, two days before the first Test against England begins at the venue.
The development came as Pakistan were dismissed for 238 in their first innings, leaving them 67 runs behind the PCC Select XI’s 305. Pakistan had resumed the day at 44 without loss.
The hosts had posted 305 on the opening day, with Saif Zaib top-scoring with 65, Matt Fisher making an unbeaten 62, Caleb Falconer scoring 59 and Tom Haines contributing 51.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Abbas claimed three wickets each, with Ali returning figures of 3-23 and Abbas 3-37.
England opener Emilio Gay was dismissed for a duck by Abbas early in the innings, while James Rew fell for four. Haines then counterattacked, reaching his half-century off just 30 balls with 12 fours before being dismissed leg before wicket by Ali.
Falconer and Zaib added 110 runs before both were dismissed. Zaib was caught attempting a hook off Khurram Shahzad, while Falconer was caught behind off Abbas.
Ali later removed Luc Benkenstein and Noah Thain in quick succession, while Aamer Jamal dismissed Charlie Tear. Fisher and James Sales added 55 before Sales edged Ali Usman to Saud Shakeel.
Ali said after the first day that the pitch had offered enough assistance to Pakistan’s fast bowlers despite lacking the green appearance expected before the match.
He acknowledged that Pakistan had allowed Fisher to score freely but said the bowling performance had otherwise been encouraging.
The pacer also described the three-day fixture as valuable preparation for the Test series, noting that English conditions required bowlers to pitch the ball fuller to maximise movement and wicket-taking opportunities.
The Beckenham match was originally scheduled for four days but was shortened to three because of player availability. All 14 members of Pakistan’s Test squad were allowed to participate.
The first Test against England will begin at Headingley on Aug 19, followed by matches at Lord’s and The Oval.
