Babar Azam ruled out of Pakistan's T20 series against New Zealand due to fractured thumb

Shadab Khan expected to lead the team, provided he recovers from groin injury

Babar Azam during Pakistan's training session at Queenstown Events Centre in New Zealand. Getty

Pakistan suffered a major injury blow ahead of next week’s three-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand with captain Babar Azam getting ruled out because of a fractured thumb.

Azam sustained the injury on his right thumb at Queenstown on Sunday during Pakistan's practice session.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement that Azam will not be able to attend net sessions for at least 12 days after scans confirmed the fracture.

“During this period, the doctors will continue to monitor Babar’s injury before confirming his participation in the first Test," the PCB said.

The Twenty20 series begins at Auckland on December 18, followed by matches at Hamilton (December 20) and Napier (December 22). The first Test begins on December 26.

“I have spoken with Babar and he is sad to miss the T20 series,” Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq said. “We have a long season of cricket ahead and we now hope that he regains complete fitness as early as possible so that he can return to competitive cricket.”

It’s a second injury blow to the Pakistan team after opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq fractured his left thumb, also in a practice session, on Thursday.

All-rounder Shadab Khan will lead Pakistan in the Twenty20 series in the absence of Azam, provided he recovers from groin injury sustained on Sunday. Khan had missed the limited-overs home series against Zimbabwe due to similar injury.

“The medical team is monitoring Shadab Khan’s groin niggle and we remain optimistic that he will be available for the T20Is,” Misbah said. “But we will neither risk him nor the team’s chances if we think he needs a few more days to be back to his complete fitness.”