{
  "id": 1719827,
  "title": "Babar Azam ruled out of first England Test with hand injury",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/babar-azam-ruled-out-of-first-england-test-with-hand-injury",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-18T13:14:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40435389/babar-azam-ruled-out-of-first-england-test-with-hand-injury"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan's Test cricket captain Babar Azam will miss the first Test against England due to a hand injury sustained during a practice match. The hand injury occurred while Babar was batting on the second day of Pakistan's three-day practice match against Kent County Cricket Club. The injury happened when he was struck on his right hand by a delivery. After being examined by the team doctor, Babar was advised to take no further part in the practice match. As a precautionary measure, he has been ruled out of the opening Test match. The Pakistan Cricket Board had planned for Babar to join the team's training session at Headingley Cricket Ground on August 17, but his absence is a significant setback for Pakistan, considering his experience and crucial role in their batting lineup. In Babar's absence, Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as the new captain for the first Test. Additionally, Shan Masood has been declared fully fit and available for selection. This development comes as Pakistan prepares for a challenging Test series, and the team is expected to finalize its playing XI ahead of the opening match against England.",
  "summary": "Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opening Test against England after suffering a hand injury during a practice match, with Salman Ali Agha set to captain the side in his absence. The national team’s head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed that Salman will lead the national team in the first Test, while Shan Masood has been declared fully fit and available for selection. Babar…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}