Pakistan top-order batter Shan Masood, who sustained a finger fracture during the first Test against West Indies, is looking “very good” ahead of the opening Test against England, confirms Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas.
Shan took part in training sessions
Shan previously took part in a training session under medical supervision before the warm-up game against Professional County Club Select XI.
“Injured batter Shan Masood also took part in the practice session. Under the supervision of the medical team, he carried out batting practice,” the PCB said in an earlier statement.
He looked better during a training session at Headingley, where he batted for the entire session. His inclusion in the first Test would of course be decided on medical advice but with his recovery going well, there should not be a reason for him to miss out.
“With Shan, too, we’re just going to rely on the medical advice,” Abbas said. “Shan practiced for the whole session and looked very good.”
Masood’s absence from the second West Indies Test
Masood, who was recently sacked as the side’s captain in favour of Babar Azam, scored a century in the first innings in Port of Spain, helping Pakistan reduce the hosts’ 311-run first-innings lead. During his knock, however, the left-handed batter suffered a finger fracture after getting hit by a Jayden Seales delivery.
The fracture saw him not take the field during West Indies’ second innings. Besides that, Shan also did not come out to bat at his usual one-down position, and when he did come out at No. 8, he could only last for 15 balls. He looked uneasy during his brief stay at the crease.
He was eventually ruled out of the following Test, which cast a doubt on his availability for the England tour.
Pakistan squad for England Test series:
Babar Azam (c), Aamir Jamal, Ali Usman, Abdullah Shafique, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel* (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
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