Babar Azam uses Shan Masood's fractured finger as excuse for collapse and 90-run loss to West Indies in 1st Test

Pakistan’s re-appointed Test skipper Babar Azam scored a gritty half-century in losing cause as visitors lost the first Test to West Indies by 90 runs. Chasing 211, Pakistan were bowled out for 120. Before the run chase started on Day 4, they had suffered an injury blow already. On Day 3, centurion Shan Masood sustained a fractured finger. Masood did not walk out to bat at no.3 in the run chase. He braved injury to bat at no.8 and looked like a pale shadow of what he had produced in the first innings, getting dismissed cheaply. After the defeat, Babar revealed the extent of Masood’s injury. He said that Masood’s injury affected Pakistan’s chances of chasing down 211.

“Yes, it affected us because unfortunately his (Masood) finger isn’t in good condition. It’s fractured, so we definitely missed him,” Babar said in the post-match presentation.

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However, Babar criticised the batters for not being able to hold their own against the new ball, leading to Pakistan losing six wickets for 53 runs. He said that the conditions eased for batting once the ball got older. He rued the lack of partnerships as Pakistan found themselves at 71/9 before no.11 batter Mohammad Abbas' fightback alongside him.

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“But at the same time, when you’re facing the new ball you have to survive the first 20 overs, build partnerships, and then as the ball gets older the pitch becomes easier to bat on. We couldn’t put together those partnerships,’ he added.

After 109 in the first innings, Masood managed to score just three runs from 15 balls in the run chase. He got caught at point by Shamar Joseph. He sliced at a delivery which he could’ve left alone.

Babar runs out of partners

From 71/9, Babar and Masood shared a 49-run partnership for the 10th wicket. Babar did not kept the strike to himself. Abbas scored 23 runs from 33 balls, featuring four fours before he was dismissed lbw by Jayden Seales. Babar remained unbeaten for 58 off 107 balls, including nine fours.

Will Masood play next Test?

The second Test of the series begins on August 2. It will be played at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain. Masood is unlikely to recover as he has suffered a fracture. He faces a race against time to recover for the three-Test series against England which begins on August 19.

Masood adds to the list of injured Pakistan players. They’ve already lost the services of Abdullah Fazal. He has been replaced by Abdullah Shafique who may get a place in the playing eleven in the next Test. Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori and Saud Shakeel are other options.