Misbah-ul-Haq: “We are hopeful that Babar Azam will be fit for the second Test. He has started to grip the bat today and has been practicing with a tennis ball”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan captain Babar Azam could potentially be fit to play in the second Test against New Zealand, head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has revealed.

Azam was ruled out of the three-match T20 series with a fractured right thumb, which will also sideline him for the first Test on Boxing Day.

In his absence, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan will captain Pakistan.

However, Misbah noted that Azam “has started to grip the bat today and has been practicing with a tennis ball”.

He added that he hopes the 26-year-old will be better in five or six days.

Misbah-ul-Haq "We are hopeful that Babar Azam will be fit for the second Test. He has started to grip the bat today and has been practicing with a tennis ball. You can't really make predictions with injuries like this but I hope he gets better in 5 or 6 days" #NZvPAK #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) December 22, 2020

“We are hopeful that Babar Azam will be fit for the second Test. He has started to grip the bat today and has been practicing with a tennis ball. You can’t really make predictions with injuries like this but I hope he gets better in 5 or 6 days,” he was quoted as saying by Saj Sadiq on Twitter.

The second Test between New Zealand and Pakistan will get underway on January 3 in Christchurch.

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