Mirpur, May 8, 2026: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has been ruled out of the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh national cricket team due to a left knee injury, though medical assessments suggest the issue is not serious.
Sources confirmed that the 31-year-old experienced sharp pain in his left knee during a training session on Thursday. He subsequently underwent MRI scans after reporting the discomfort to team management.
According to team insiders, Babar has been rested from the ongoing Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium as a precautionary measure until May 12. Officials clarified that the decision was made by the team management and not requested by the player himself.
Encouragingly for Pakistan, the right-handed batter has already resumed light training and is expected to be available for the second Test of the series, scheduled at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20.
Babar’s absence is considered a significant setback for the touring side, given his strong recent form. The former captain was in outstanding touch during Pakistan Super League 11, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 588 runs in 11 innings at an average of 73.02 and a strike rate of 145.90, including two centuries and three half-centuries.
He had recently regained peak confidence after a match-winning century in the PSL Qualifier, helping his side reach the final and later reflecting that he was “getting back to his best.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan endured a difficult opening day in Mirpur, with Bangladesh posting a commanding 301-4 at stumps, led by a century from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Pakistan’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali and Noman Ali each claiming one wicket on a challenging opening day.
