Lord’s Test: Pakistani Babar Azam takes a heavy blow against England

Babar Azam was taken off the field on day two of the first test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s Friday.

Azam, who was at bat on 68, suffered a heavy blow when a rising delivery from Ben Stokes on his lPakistani 83rd left wrist.

He sought to hide under the bouncer, but completely misjudged the length and was shot in the left wrist.

Babar appeared to be in serious pain before the physio rushed to assist him. An ice pack was applied to his left wrist, but he continued to experience pain before he was taken off the field.

It was a big blow for Pakistan who would like the fit batsman to be fit before the second set.

At the tea break, Pakistan were 227/5, a 43-lead after England were knocked out for 184 in their opening set on day one.

Struggling for a crucial fifth wicket, the versatile English Stokes sent a barrage of bouncers. Sarfraz ducked under each one until he couldn’t resist a wild hook on the last ball of the afternoon session and managed to catch Mark Wood on the limit of the deep square leg. He had been absent for nine years.

Babar Azam was the third Pakistani drummer to score half a century. Asad Shafiq also scored 59 patients before dragging a delivery from Stokes. Opener Azhar Ali scored 50.

Stokes took 2/38 and the other England setters, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and James Anderson, one wicket each.

After England’s hitting slump on Thursday, Pakistan resumed the 50/1 and held off for an hour before dropping two wickets in the morning session to hit 136/3 at lunch. Pakistan was limited to 91 in the afternoon session as two more wickets fell, leaving tourists with a modest lead heading into the final session.

(With AP inputs)