Pakistan captain Babar Azam ruled out of second New Zealand Test

Babar fractured his right thumb during a net session last month and missed the first Test in Mount Maunganui as well as the preceding T20 series

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled of the second Test against New Zealand due to pain in his thumb.

Babar fractured his right thumb during a net session last month and missed the first Test in Mount Maunganui as well as the preceding T20 series.

It is understood that he took part in training on New Year’s Day but it was decided that it was not worth the risk to let him play in the upcoming match at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Mohammad Rizwan will captain the side in Babar’s absence.

Pakistan’s team doctor, Dr Sohail Saleem, said: “We have seen improvement in Babar Azam's injury but he is yet to fully recover. He is our captain and the most important batsman in the line-up, so we do not want to take any risk.

“The medical team is constantly reviewing his injury and we are hopeful he will be available for the home series against South Africa.”