"Shan Masood's fractured finger affected us": Babar Azam after Pakistan's loss to West Indies in first Test
Port of Spain, July 29
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has confirmed that former skipper Shan Masood suffered a finger fracture during the first ICC World Test Championship match against the West Indies in Trinidad.
Masood sustained the injury while batting in Pakistan's first innings during their 90-run defeat in the first Test match. The injury forced him to move down to No. 8 in the second innings as Pakistan suffered their eighth consecutive Test defeat away from home, according to the ICC.
After the match, Babar was asked about Masood's change in batting position and revealed that the left-handed batter had fractured his finger.
"Yes, Shan Masood's injury affected us because, unfortunately, his finger is fractured, so we definitely missed him," Babar confirmed, as quoted by ICC.
"At the same time, when you're facing the new ball, you have to survive the first 20 overs, build partnerships, and then, as the ball gets older, the pitch becomes easier to bat on. We couldn't put together those partnerships."
Babar provided some brief resistance on Tuesday as Pakistan were skittled for just 120 in their second innings, with the experienced right-hander scoring his 32nd half-century in Tests only to run out of partners late as Jayden Seales (5/20) ran through the visitors' batting order.
The loss left Pakistan rooted to the bottom of the World Test Championship standings, and Babar suggested it was their top order that had let the side down.
"We played good cricket in the last few days, but today we were not up to the mark as a batting unit," Babar said.
"The surface is good and we expected the new ball to move for which we were prepared ... but I think they bowled very well and used the conditions nicely. We'll sit together and discuss these things because, while the result isn't go our way, we can certainly address our mistakes. We'll do our best to correct them and ensure we improve going forward," he added.
While Jayden Seales impressed for the West Indies on the final day of the Test, it was fellow fast bowler Justin Greaves who was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance in Pakistan's first innings. Greaves made history by claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests, including five consecutive wicket maidens, according to ICC.
He added two more wickets on Tuesday to help the West Indies secure victory and strengthen their eighth position in the World Test Championship standings. The right-arm pacer also said he gained valuable experience during the match by observing Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas.
"We came in and tried to be just as disciplined as possible," Greaves said. "I mimicked Mohammad Abbas' fuller lengths when he bowled against us in the first and second innings and it pretty much worked out for us."
The second Test between West Indies and Pakistan commences in Port of Spain on August 2.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Shan Masood's injury is unfortunate, but let's be real—Pakistan's batting has been a mess for years now. Babar scored a half-century but couldn't convert it into a big one when needed. The lower order collapse was inevitable. Maybe it's time to revisit the domestic structure? In India, we've seen how our Ranji Trophy prepares players for such conditions. Pakistan's Test team needs a solid plan B, not just depending on individual brilliance. Hope they bounce back in the second Test! 🤞
Honestly, the West Indies bowled very disciplined lines, especially Greaves mimicking Mohammad Abbas' lengths. It's a smart move—learning from the opposition. Pakistan can't just blame injuries; they need to adapt better. In India, we've seen how our bowlers (like Bumrah, Shami) adapt to conditions abroad, but batting still remains a concern when the ball moves. Babar's captaincy also comes under question—why not use spinners more to create pressure? Just a thought.
It's sad to see Pakistan struggling so badly away from home. Shan's injury is a big blow, but honestly, their batting lineup has been fragile for a while. The way they collapsed from 150/4 to 180 all out in the first innings shows a lack of application. In India, we've had similar issues overseas, but at least our lower order often contributes. Pakistan's tailenders just seem clueless against the moving ball. Hope they learn from this defeat and come back stronger.
Let's give credit where it's due—Jayden Seales and Justin Greaves bowled brilliantly. Seales' 5/20 on the final day was masterful. Pakistan's top order has been a worry for years, and blaming one injury doesn't fix the recurring issue. In India, we remember how we struggled with similar collapses pre-2021, but now our batting consistently posts 300+ overseas. Pakistan needs to invest in red-ball cricket at the grassroots. That's the only way to compete in the WTC
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