Pakistan suffered a setback after dominating the second day’s play in the first Test against England at Lord’s on Friday when in-form batsman Babar Azam was ruled out of the rest of their tour with a fractured forearm. Babar top scored with 68 in Pakistan’s stumps total of 350 for eight — a lead of 166 runs after they bowled England out for 184 in their first innings.
But he was forced to retire hurt before the close after being struck a painful blow by England pace bowling all-rounder Ben Stokes. The 23-year-old Babar, for whom this was indeed an unlucky 13th Test, received sympathetic applause from a large crowd as he walked off after several minutes of on-field treatment.
