Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Wednesday said he is “90 per cent fit” as he returns to lead his country in the second Test against England at Lord’s.
Azam missed last week’s series opener at Headingley because of a finger injury, with the tourists thrashed by an innings and 103 runs in his absence as England went 1-0 up in a three-match campaign.
The 31-year-old Azam was hit on the glove while batting during a warm-up match, compounding a finger injury initially sustained during Pakistan’s recent tour of the West Indies.
But he has been back batting in the nets during the past 48 hours and the experienced batsman is now set to strengthen a Pakistan side dismissed for just 171 and 135 in Leeds when the second Test gets underway on Thursday.
“I’ve had a couple of practice sessions again, and I’m 90 per cent fit for the match tomorrow,” Azam told a pre-match press conference at Lord’s.
“Always when you lead the Pakistan team, especially at this ground, it is an honour for me and I will do my best. If it is on the field as captain or when I’m batting, I will just play my game.”
He added: “I think we were not playing up to our mark [in the first Test], but credit to England for the way they are playing. After that we sat to discuss our mistakes and now we are looking forward to the match, believing in ourselves and we will try to play good cricket.”
Azam was Pakistan’s top run-scorer in the West Indies, with 193 runs during a drawn two-Test series. He has also enjoyed success in England, with three fifties in six innings while averaging 65.75.
Azan Awais may make way if Azam returns at number four, with either Shan Masood or Abdullah Shafique moving up the order to open.
Pakistan could also make changes to their bowling line-up as well this week, with 20-year-old Ubaid Shah able to provide extra speed to an attack lacking in sheer pace in Leeds.
That would leave Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali vying for one place, with Mohammad Abbas the most reliable of Pakistan’s pacemen at Headingley and left-arm spinner Ali Usman fresh from his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
