WI vs PAK

Abdullah Fazal Ruled Out of West Indies and England Test Series With Back Injury

Latest Cricket News — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 10:00:13 +0000

Pakistan Suffer Major Blow as Abdullah Fazal Ruled Out of West Indies and England Tests

Abdullah Fazal Ruled Out of West Indies and England Test Series With Back Injury

Pakistan have suffered a significant injury setback with young opener Abdullah Fazal ruled out of the upcoming Test series against West Indies and England due to a lower back injury.

The 23-year-old sustained the injury during a training session at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, where Pakistan are preparing for their opening Test against West Indies.

Medical examinations have confirmed that Fazal will require rehabilitation before returning to competitive cricket.

Abdullah Fazal Suffers Back Injury in Training

Fazal picked up the injury while training with the Pakistan squad in Tarouba.

Following the setback, the opener underwent an MRI scan and further medical assessment, which confirmed the extent of the lower back problem.

He has subsequently been ruled out of Pakistan’s upcoming ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 assignments against West Indies and England.

Pakistan have not yet announced a replacement.

Major Setback After Impressive Test Debut

The timing of the injury is particularly disappointing for Fazal after an encouraging beginning to his international career.

The young batter made his Test debut against Bangladesh in May and immediately made an impression.

He registered half-centuries in both innings and finished as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the match.

Those performances had strengthened his claim for an extended opportunity at the top of Pakistan’s Test batting order.

His injury now forces the team management to reconsider its batting combination.

Awais Zafar Could Make Test Debut

Fazal’s absence could create an opportunity for Awais Zafar to make his Test debut.

The middle-order batter was initially added to Pakistan’s squad as cover for the injured Saud Shakeel.

With another batter now unavailable, Pakistan could turn to Zafar when finalising their playing XI.

The team management will have to determine whether to make a direct change at the top or restructure the batting order to accommodate the available players.

Imam-ul-Haq Set for Return

Experienced opener Imam-ul-Haq is expected to return to Pakistan’s top order.

Imam missed Pakistan’s previous Test against Bangladesh, where Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal formed the opening partnership.

His return now becomes even more important following Fazal’s injury.

The left-handed batter brings significantly more international experience and could provide some stability at the top of the order during a challenging overseas assignment.

Fazal Had Made Promising Start to Test Career

Fazal’s early Test numbers had provided Pakistan with considerable encouragement.

Across his first two Tests, he has scored 141 runs, including two half-centuries.

His highest Test score currently stands at 66.

While still at the beginning of his international career, his performances had made him one of the young batters Pakistan were hoping to develop during the current World Test Championship cycle.

The rehabilitation period will now determine how quickly he can return to contention.

Pakistan Begin West Indies Test Challenge

Pakistan’s opening Test against West Indies is scheduled to begin on July 25 in Tarouba.

The series carries important World Test Championship points for both teams.

Pakistan currently find themselves at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings, while West Indies sit one position above them in eighth.

That makes the series particularly important as both sides attempt to improve their position in the championship table.

For Pakistan, however, the immediate challenge will be finding the right batting combination without one of their promising young openers.

Kavem Hodge’s Unbeaten 83 Puts West Indies on Top Against Pakistan in Trinidad Test

Latest Cricket News — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 09:17:02 +0000

Kavem Hodge’s Unbeaten 83 Gives West Indies Strong Start Against Pakistan

Kavem Hodge’s Unbeaten 83 Puts West Indies on Top Against Pakistan in Trinidad Test

Kavem Hodge produced a patient and determined unbeaten 83 to put West Indies in a strong position against Pakistan at the end of a rain-affected opening day of the first Test in Trinidad.

West Indies finished the day on 194 for 3 after 67 overs, with Hodge unbeaten on 83 and Shai Hope alongside him on 39.

The pair added an unbroken 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket, frustrating Pakistan after the visitors had threatened to take control earlier in the day.

Bad light eventually brought play to an early close at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Rain Disrupts Opening Day in Trinidad

West Indies won the toss and elected to bat at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, which is hosting its first Test match.

Before play began, both teams observed a minute’s silence following the passing of legendary West Indies cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers. West Indies players and the match officials also wore black armbands.

Pakistan quickly made batting difficult.

Only 14.1 overs were possible during the opening session, with West Indies managing just 23 runs as Pakistan’s seamers exploited the conditions.

Rain then arrived and resulted in an early lunch, with the interruption eventually costing around two hours of playing time.

Mohammad Abbas Strikes Early

Mohammad Abbas was particularly difficult to negotiate with the new ball.

The experienced Pakistan seamer maintained a disciplined line around off stump and bowled five maidens in his first seven overs.

The pressure eventually produced the opening wicket.

Brandon King attempted to cut a delivery that was too close to his body and ended up chopping the ball onto his stumps.

Pakistan had made the early breakthrough they were looking for.

Hodge Launches West Indies Fightback

Conditions continued to favour Pakistan’s seamers after the rain interruption, but Hodge responded by adopting a more positive approach.

He collected 14 runs from Abbas’ first two overs after the resumption, helping West Indies increase the scoring rate and begin their recovery.

Hodge combined effectively with Tagenarine Chanderpaul as the partnership moved beyond 50.

Pakistan eventually broke the stand through Aamer Jamal.

Chanderpaul pushed at a delivery outside off stump and edged it to Salman Agha at second slip.

Abbas Removes Amir Jangoo

Amir Jangoo was the next West Indies batter to depart.

Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan moved closer to the stumps against Abbas, making it more difficult for Jangoo to leave his crease.

Abbas then delivered a straight ball that trapped Jangoo in front.

The on-field umpire initially rejected Pakistan’s appeal, but a review showed the ball hitting the stumps and the decision was overturned.

West Indies were suddenly 106 for 3, giving Pakistan an opportunity to take control.

Hodge Completes Fourth Test Fifty

Hodge refused to allow Pakistan to capitalise.

He showed patience against Abbas and Mohammad Ali while looking for scoring opportunities against the other bowlers.

His half-century arrived with a punch through the covers against debutant spinner Ali Usman.

It was Hodge’s fourth Test half-century, but the West Indies batter continued to build rather than throwing away his start.

Hodge and Hope Frustrate Pakistan

Shai Hope provided Hodge with the support West Indies needed.

The pair settled into a patient fourth-wicket partnership and gradually reduced Pakistan’s wicket-taking threat.

Pakistan continued to probe without allowing the hosts to score freely, but the assistance available to the bowlers earlier in the day gradually disappeared.

Hodge and Hope responded by prioritising survival.

Remarkably, West Indies did not score a single boundary during the final session, yet the pair remained unbeaten and ensured Pakistan couldn’t make another breakthrough.

Bad light eventually ended proceedings after 67 overs.

West Indies Edge Ahead After Day 1

Despite losing three wickets, West Indies will be pleased with their position after a difficult opening session.

Hodge’s unbeaten 83 was the defining performance of the day, while Hope’s patient 39 helped establish an important partnership.

Pakistan, meanwhile, remain firmly in the contest.

Abbas was their standout performer, finishing the day with two wickets, but the visitors will need an early breakthrough on Day 2 to prevent Hodge and Hope from turning their promising partnership into a commanding first-innings total.

Day 1 Score

West Indies: 194/3 in 67 overs

Kavem Hodge: 83*
Shai Hope: 39*
Mohammad Abbas: 2/44