Babar Azam to return home from England today

Middle-order batsman ruled out of two-Test series against England after suffering forearm injury

Young Pakistan middle-order batsman Babar Azam will return home from England on Tuesday after being ruled out of the two-Test series following a forearm injury.

Azam, who scored a brilliant unbeaten 68 in the first innings at Lord’s, was hit on the forearm by a Ben Stokes delivery on the second day of the first Test.

Azam had to retired hurt and later scans revealed that he has suffered a hairline fracture, with the diagnosis being that he would need up to six weeks to recover from the injury.

The 23-year-old will be returning to Lahore via a connected flight from Heathrow to Dubai. The Pakistan team management have decided not to call any replacement for Azam as the team have three batsmen sitting in the wings.