Babar Azam is set to return to the Pakistan side for the second Test against England at Lord’s after recovering sufficiently from a hand injury.
The Pakistan captain said he was “90% fit” ahead of the match and revealed that he had completed several practice sessions in preparation for his return.
“I had a couple of practice sessions. I’m 90% fit for tomorrow and the rest of the series,” Babar said during his pre-match press conference.
Pakistan fast-bowling coach Umar Gul said Babar had faced pace in the nets on Tuesday. However, most of the batter’s preparation has involved throwdowns. After Wednesday’s press conference, Babar again batted in the nets, facing throwdowns and some spin but notably no fast bowling.
His return is a major boost for Pakistan’s struggling batting order, although Babar acknowledged that one player alone cannot solve the team’s problems.
Pakistan suffered a heavy three-day defeat in the opening Test at Headingley, with their batting collapsing repeatedly. The visitors were bowled out for 171 in their first innings after losing their final eight wickets for just 64 runs.
Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique had initially steadied Pakistan with a 91-run partnership after surviving some early pressure, but neither batter was able to convert their starts into substantial scores.
Babar said Pakistan must improve their performances as a team, particularly by building partnerships with both bat and ball.
“You need to produce complete team performances. You have to bowl and bat in partnerships,” he said. “And you have to take it deep as a batter if you’re set.”
Babar’s return is expected to strengthen the middle order, while Abdullah Shafique is likely to retain his position rather than move up the order to open alongside Imam-ul-Haq.
Shafique has been one of Pakistan’s few consistent performers recently, scoring 260 runs at an average of 130 in his last four innings. Azan Awais is expected to make way for Babar’s return.
“The number Abdullah is batting, he should continue to play there,” Babar said. “He’s batted three and four since his comeback. He’s got confidence there so he’ll continue there.”
The captain also called for greater concentration from Pakistan’s senior batters, particularly after the team’s repeated collapses.
“We need to stop losing back-to-back wickets. The senior batters need to be more focused and make up for it,” he said.
The Lord’s Test will also mark Babar’s first time leading Pakistan at the historic venue. It is his third tour of England and he will become the 15th Pakistani captain to lead the national side out at Lord’s.
“When you lead the Pakistan side on this ground, it’s an honour,” Babar said. “I do my best on the field as captain and when I’m batting, I just play my game.”
Despite the disappointment at Headingley, Babar believes Pakistan can quickly move on and produce a stronger performance at Lord’s.
“Our stats here are good and we’d like to continue that. We will forget about the first Test and are looking forward to this one,” he said.
