KARACHI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam commented on Azhar Ali’s retirement from Test cricket and the possibility of giving him a farewell, said the Playing XI for the Karachi Test will be decided later.
Babar, while talking at a pre-match press conference responded to a question regarding Azhar, who announced to hang his boots from red-ball cricket ahead of the final Test.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate Ajju bhai for such a decorated career. His career is quite an inspiring thing for us and for the youngsters and the performances he delivered throughout it,” said Babar.
“When we came, he was a senior player and he gave us confidence and we learnt a lot from him. He has played in different situations and the way he performed helped us as a youngster. He always backed players and brought positive energy to the dressing room.
“We will decide [Playing XI] at night, so let’s see.”
Pakistan’s captain then went on to comment on Imam’s hamstring injury and confirmed that the latter will not be available for the final Test.
“Imam is suffering from a hamstring injury and he will not play tomorrow’s Test,” confirmed Babar.
The left-handed opener was seen limping off the field during the team’s training session, presumably feeling discomfort in his right hamstring.
Notably, Imam was taken to a local hospital in Rawalpindi for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans amid the second Test and did not bat at his usual batting position.
The left-handed opener, however, came out to bat at number five and scored an important half-century in the run chase, which went in vain as England sealed a dramatic victory to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
It is pertinent to mention that the final Test of the historic series between Pakistan and England will commence on December 17 here.
READ: Rehan Ahmed to debut as England unveil Playing XI for Karachi Test
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