NZ vs Pak : Babar Azam ruled out of T20Is with fractured thumb

Pakistan’s hopes suffered a big blow on Sunday when captain Babar Azam was ruled out of the three-match T20I series against New Zealand after fracturing his right thumb during a practice session.

The batting mainstay will not be able to attend practice for at least 12 days, the Pakistan Cricket Board said, and he faces a race against time to be fit for the opening match of the two-Test series from Dec. 26.

T20Is:

“I have spoken with Babar and he is sad to miss the T20I series. As he was fully focused and keenly looking forward to the T20Is,” Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said about the second-ranked T20I batsman in the world.

“We have a long season of cricket ahead and we now hope that he regains complete fitness as early as possible so that he can return to competitive cricket,” Misbah said in a statement.

Babar’s injury came a day after top-order batsman Imam-ul-Haq fractured his left thumb, also during a practice session. Pakistan’s T20I vice-captain Shadab Khan was also carrying a groin niggle, the cricket board said.

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The first T20I will be played in Auckland on Friday.

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