Pakistan face a tough blow just before the first Test versus Bangladesh - Babar Azam can’t play. The reason was a sore knee, confirmed by the ICC. Just days out, their top scorer steps aside. Not ideal timing. Big shoes left empty. Team gears up minus its main bat, in cricket news.

Babar exited practice Thursday, clutching his left knee. Scans followed without delay. Later came word from the Pakistan Cricket Board - he won’t play the opening Test. This one counts toward the ICC World Test Championship. Bangladesh awaits, but he’ll sit out the first of two matches.

Pakistan await further updates on Babar Azam’s fitness

Pakistan face a tough blow just before the first Test against Bangladesh - Babar Azam can’t play. The reason is a sore knee, confirmed by the ICC. Just days out, their top scorer steps aside. Not ideal timing. Big shoes left empty. Team gears up minus its main bat.

Babar exited practice Thursday, clutching his left knee. Scans followed without delay. Later came word from the Pakistan Cricket Board that he won’t play the opening Test. This one counts toward the ICC World Test Championship. Bangladesh awaits, but he’ll sit out the first of two matches.

Unclear if Babar can heal fast enough before the next Test in Sylhet kicks off come May 16.

Fifth in the World Test Championship 2025–27, Pakistan head to Bangladesh needing solid wins just to keep their hopes alive. Their shot at finishing among the top two hinges on how they perform there. Staying close to the summit means delivering under pressure.

Momentum shifts fast, so consistency matters more now. Every run, each wicket could tip the balance later. Strong showings away from home often define campaigns like these. This series might quietly shape their entire cycle.

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The Pakistan squad for the series includes Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Afridi.

Starting May 8, the opening Test unfolds at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and wraps up by the 12th. Following that, play shifts to Sylhet International Cricket Stadium where the next match runs from the 16th through the 20th.