LONDON: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam was advised to take no further part in the team’s three-day practice match against the Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI on Friday after being struck on the right hand, the Pakistan Cricket Board said.

According to the PCB, Babar was hit while batting on the second day of the match at the Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham. Following an assessment by the team doctor, he was advised to rest for the remainder of the fixture as a precautionary measure.

The PCB said Babar would participate in Pakistan’s practice session at Headingley Cricket Ground on Monday, two days before the first Test against England begins at the same venue.

The development came as Pakistan were bowled out for 238 in their first innings on the second day, having resumed at 44 without loss in reply to the PCC Select XI’s 305.

Pakistan’s innings followed a strong opening day for the hosts, who were dismissed for 305 despite four half-centuries, with Saif Zaib top-scoring with 65, Matt Fisher remaining unbeaten on 62, Caleb Falconer making 59 and Tom Haines scoring 51.

Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Abbas claimed three wickets apiece for Pakistan, with Ali finishing with three for 23 and Abbas three for 37.

England opener Emilio Gay fell for a duck early in the innings, edging Abbas to Salman Ali Agha in the third over after Pakistan had appealed off the first delivery of the match.

Abbas then had James Rew caught behind for four before Haines launched an aggressive counterattack, reaching his half-century from only 30 balls, including 12 fours. He was eventually trapped lbw by Ali.

Falconer and Zaib then put on 110, though both benefited from dropped chances. Falconer, on 29, edged Ubaid Shah but was dropped by Abdullah Shafique at first slip, while Zaib survived a stumping opportunity against Sajid Khan.

Zaib eventually fell for 65 while attempting to hook Khurram Shahzad, with Awais Zafar taking a difficult catch on the boundary. Falconer was subsequently caught behind off Abbas for 59.

Ali struck twice in quick succession later in the innings, removing Luc Benkenstein and Noah Thain, while Aamer Jamal dismissed Charlie Tear. Fisher and James Sales added 55 before Sales edged Ali Usman to Saud Shakeel.

Speaking after the first day, Ali said the pitch offered sufficient assistance to fast bowlers despite not having the lush-green appearance that had been discussed before the match.

“I think the pitch was very good for fast bowling,” Ali said. “If you bowl consistently in good areas, I still feel there is enough assistance for the fast bowlers.”

He acknowledged Pakistan had allowed Fisher to score too freely but felt the bowling effort had otherwise been encouraging.

“During the period when we conceded around 50 runs to Matt Fisher, we did not bowl particularly well. Apart from that, throughout the day we bowled very well,” he said.

Ali also underlined the value of the match in preparing for England’s conditions, which he said differed from those Pakistan had encountered in the West Indies.

“Here, you have to pitch the ball a little fuller to get the maximum results and take enough wickets,” he said, describing the three-day fixture as “ideal preparation” for the Test series.

Pakistan’s first innings of 238 leaves them 67 runs behind the PCC Select XI, with play continuing on Friday.

The Beckenham fixture was originally scheduled as a four-day game but was reduced to three days because of player availability, with it agreed that all 14 members of Pakistan’s Test squad could participate.

The opening Test against England starts at Headingley on Aug 19, followed by Tests at Lord’s and The Oval.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2026