Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match: Babar Azam has been ruled out of Pakistan’s first Test against the Bangladesh national cricket team due to a left knee injury. The opening Test of the Pakistan tour of Bangladesh 2026 began at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Babar left training on Thursday to undergo a scan on his left knee, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later confirmed the right-hander would miss the opening match of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship series against Bangladesh. PCB added that his condition is being monitored, but did not clarify whether he would miss the remainder of the series.
"Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to an injury in left knee," PCB said in a statement. "The team's medical panel is currently assessing his condition. Further updates will be shared in due course."
The injury comes at a difficult time for Pakistan, especially after Babar enjoyed a sensational campaign in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League 2026 season. The former Pakistan captain finished as the leading run-scorer of the tournament and guided Peshawar Zalmi to the PSL title after losing just one match during the campaign.
Babar arrived in Bangladesh on Monday shortly after the PSL final and trained with the Pakistan squad for two days without any visible discomfort. However, he woke up with knee pain ahead of the Test match, forcing the management to leave him out.
The right-handed batter has been a regular member of Pakistan’s Test setup for almost a decade. Friday’s game marked the first away Test Babar has missed since January 2021.
Toss Update:
Shan Masood won the toss and elected to field first against the Bangladesh in the opening Test. Pakistan handed debut caps to openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal, while the hosts welcomed back experienced fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain. Young pacer Nahid Rana retained his place after impressive recent performances.
Playing XIs
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain
Pakistan (Playing XI): Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood(c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas