New Zealand tour: Big blow to national team, Babar Azam out of T20 series

Even before the start of the T20 series against Pakistan and New Zealand, the national team has suffered a major blow and captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the series.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), national team captain Babar Azam was ruled out of the series due to a fractured thumb of his right hand.

The PCB said a ball landed on the thumb of Babar Azam’s right hand during a throwdown in a net session in Queenstown, after which he was taken to a hospital where an X-ray confirmed a fracture.

According to the statement, due to the fracture, Babar Azam will not be able to net practice for at least 12 days but he will continue his physical training while the medical panel will review his injury.

It should be noted that the series of 3 T20 matches between Pakistan and New Zealand will start from December 18 and its last match will be played on December 22.

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On the other hand, on Babar Azam’s injury, national team head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said that injuries are part of any professional sport.

He said that it was disappointing for a talented player like Babar Azam to be out of the T20 series due to injury but it was a great opportunity for other players in the squad to showcase their talents.

The head coach said that he has spoken to Babar Azam and he is very sad to be out of the T20 series.

The national T20 team consists of these players

Shadab Khan (captain), Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz, Fahim Ashraf, Musa Khan, Emad Wasim, And Abdullah Shafiq.