Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is all set to feature in the second Test against England at Lord's which is scheduled to be played from August 27. Babar gave a strong indication of his full recovery from a finger issue by powering through an intense, unrestricted session in the nets without showing any signs of distress. The finger injury ruled Babar out of the series opener, which Pakistan lost by an innings and 103 runs.
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Umar Gul ends suspense on Babar Azam's availability for Lord's Test
Expressing optimism ahead of the fixture, Pakistan bowling coach Umar Gul revealed that the star batter handled every challenge thrown his way during practice. Gul noted that Babar completed a exhaustive session against pace, spin, and throwdowns alike, looking sharp throughout and leaving the management confident in his readiness for selection at Lord's.
“Babar batted in the nets, faced fast bowlers, spinners and throwdowns. We're hopeful he will be available for the game, and today he was looking good; he batted well in the nets. He had a full batting session,” Gul said in the pre-match press conference.
Addressing the team's broader performance, Gul stated that a Pakistan turnaround relies on a collective effort rather than individual brilliance. He urged the entire squad to raise their standards across all three disciplines, batting, bowling, and fielding, if they hope to alter their fortunes.
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Reflecting on the opening fixture, Gul highlighted the crucial role of the bowling unit, noting that claiming 20 wickets remains the non-negotiable prerequisite for securing a Test victory in English conditions. Pointing to the high intensity displayed during training, he expressed strong confidence that the squad has learned from their prior errors and is ready to deliver a strong rebound at Lord's.
All eyes on Babar Azam at Lord's after Pakistan's rout in series opener
Pakistan stand to gain a major boost at Lord's with the likely inclusion of Babar, coming right when the side needs to rebound from a crushing loss in the Leeds opener. Having been bowled out twice in under 86 overs at Headingley, the visitors desperately need firepower, which Babar proved he possesses during his prolific West Indies campaign, where he notched 193 runs at an average of 96.50. The London clash will also mark a personal milestone, serving as his first Test match on English soil since taking back the captaincy.