Pakistan dealt Babar Azam blow against England

Batsman fractures wrist, team physio says recovery might take four to six weeks

LONDON: Pakistan suffered a setback after dominating the second day's play in the first Test against England at Lord's on Friday when in-form batsman Babar Azam was ruled out of the rest of their tour with a fractured forearm.

Babar top-scored with 68 in Pakistan's stumps total of 350 for eight -- a lead of 166 runs after they bowled England out for 184 in their first innings.

But he was forced to retire hurt before the close after being struck a painful blow by England pace bowling all-rounder Ben Stokes.

The 23-year-old Babar, for whom this was indeed an unlucky 13th Test, received sympathetic applause from a large crowd as he walked off after several minutes of on-field treatment.

Babar was taken to a hospital for a scan which confirmed a fracture that will sideline him for at least six weeks.

He is now highly unlikely to play any further part at Lord's and will miss the second and final Test of a two-match series at Headingley that starts a week on Friday.

Team physiotherapist Cliffe Deacon told the Pakistan Cricket Board media Twitter page: "The fracture's in the forearm, one of the two bones in the forearm called the ulna.

He continued: “It is pretty much just above the wrist of his forearm, which is why he couldn't hold his bat properly. Normally with these sort of fractures (the length of recovery) varies between four to six weeks."

Babar Azam injury update by Pakistan Team Physiotherapist, Cliffe Deacon pic.twitter.com/OTRVNMAxf8

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) May 25, 2018

The PCB added it had no intention to add a replacement batsman to the tour squad.

Pakistan play the second Test against England at Headingly.

The series will be followed by Sarfraz and co playing two T20Is against Scotland.