Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the second and final Test against New Zealand in Christchurch after failing to recover sufficiently from a right thumb fracture, the country’s Cricket Board said on Saturday.
Venue for the second #NZvPAK Test ?
? Hagley Oval, Christchurch pic.twitter.com/g8VPrkPaaK
— ICC (@ICC) January 2, 2021
Babar, 26, sustained the injury during a practice session in Queenstown and has now missed the three-match Twenty20 series and the two tests.
Mohammad Rizwan will continue to lead the touring side, who lost the opening test in Mount Maunganui by 101 runs.
Can New Zealand win the second Test against Pakistan and claim the top spot in the @MRFWorldwide ICC Test Team Rankings?#NZvPAK preview ⬇️
— ICC (@ICC) January 2, 2021