Mirpur, May 7, 2026: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opening Test against Bangladesh due to a left knee injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Thursday.
According to the PCB, the 31-year-old batter sustained an injury to his left knee and will not be available for the first match of the two-Test away series, scheduled to begin on May 8 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
“The team’s medical panel is currently assessing his condition. Further updates will be shared in due course,” the PCB said in an official statement.
Babar’s absence comes as a significant setback for Pakistan, particularly after the right-hander enjoyed a prolific run in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League season.
Representing Peshawar Zalmi, Babar finished as the leading run-scorer of PSL 11, amassing 588 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 73.02 and a strike rate of 145.90, including two centuries and three half-centuries.
His match-winning century against Islamabad United in the qualifier played a pivotal role in guiding Peshawar Zalmi to the final, where the franchise eventually lifted the PSL 2026 title.
Following that innings, Babar had said he was beginning to feel close to his best form again.
Pakistan’s squad for the opening Test against Bangladesh includes Shan Masood (captain), Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi among others.
