BAN vs PAK, 1st Test: With the big news of Babar Azam’s unavailability sending a jolt through Pakistan’s camp hours before the first Test against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, a massive development has emerged. An unverified claim via a social media account has now claimed that Babar had no injury ahead of the series-opener against Bangladesh and that Aaqib Javed, the high-performance director, deliberately kept him out of the side to give chance to the youngsters.
BAN vs PAK, 1st Test: Is Babar Azam really injured?
According to an article published by ESPN Cricinfo, the former Pakistan skipper was ruled out of the opening Test due to a left knee injury but the official statement did not mention whether he was out of the second and final Test too. It is inevitably a setback for the right-handed batter, had been in excellent form for title-winners Peshawar Zalmi, clattering 588 runs to become the leading run-getter of the 2026 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Clarification on Babar Azam’s Availability
Sources indicate that Babar Azam is fit and uninjured, having taken full part in today’s practice session.
Reports suggest his inclusion on the injured list was a deliberate step by chief selector Aaqib Javed to provide playing… pic.twitter.com/cu9qvDBWMo— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) May 7, 2026
Nevertheless, his form in Test cricket has tanked, with Babar’s most recent hundred coming in December 2022 against New Zealand in Karachi. Thus, the Lahore-born cricketer would have hoped to revive his form in red-ball cricket against a modest Bangladesh. Nevertheless, there is no official statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) or Javed about Babar being sidelined for any reason other than the injury.
BAN vs PAK, 1st Test: What is the state of the match in Mirpur?
The toss fell in favour of visiting captain Shan Masood, who opted to field first in Mirpur. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali made early inroads for Pakistan, sending Mahmudul Hasan Joy (8) and Shadman Islam (13) packing in 10.1 overs. Nevertheless, the Tigers had a massive partnership between captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and and Mominul Haque. Shanto perished for 101 as Mohammad Abbas trapped him lbw, while Noman Ali affected the same type of dismissal against Mominul Haque, who missed out on a magical three-figure mark by nine runs.
At the time of writing this, Bangladesh had already passed 300 and lost only four wickets.
