LONDON: Babar Azam must return to Pakistan’s playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord’s, former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has said, describing Pakistan’s batting line-up as “very, very fragile” without its star player.
Babar missed the opening Test at Headingley after suffering a finger injury during Pakistan’s three-day practice match against the Professional County Club Select XI in Beckenham.
Pakistan went on to suffer an innings-and-103-run defeat, prompting Broad to stress the importance of Babar’s return as the tourists seek to strengthen their batting and bounce back at Lord’s.
Broad believes Babar Azam’s return at Lord’s could provide the experience and stability Pakistan desperately need as they attempt to respond in the second Test.
Babar Azam Return Vital for Pakistan
Speaking on a podcast alongside former England captain Jos Buttler, Broad said Pakistan had little choice but to recall Babar if the 31-year-old is fit.
“I’m sure he’ll come back in at Lord’s. They have to bring him back,” Broad said.
“They look very, very fragile as a batting group, and he’s their best player.”
Babar had been ruled out of the Headingley Test a day before the match because of his bruised hand, but his appearance shortly before the toss briefly created confusion.
Babar’s Headingley Appearance Confuses Broad
Broad recalled seeing Babar emerge from the dressing room fully dressed in Pakistan’s Test whites, complete with his team jacket and cap.
The former England fast bowler initially thought Babar had made a surprise recovery and was heading out for the toss.
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“Babar has to. He nearly did, as you know. He got ruled out the day before and was declared out of the Test match,” Broad recalled.
“Then he walked down those stairs from the changing room, fully kitted up in his whites, with his jacket and Pakistan cap, at toss time.”
Broad said he exchanged an awkward “modern handshake” with the Pakistan captain before realising Babar was not preparing to play.
Instead, Babar had dressed in his Test kit to take part in the traditional pre-series captain’s photograph with the trophy.
Broad said the situation even briefly caused confusion during the television broadcast, as Babar’s appearance suggested he might have been cleared at the last moment.
Pakistan Hope for Babar Azam Boost at Lord’s
Babar’s possible return would be a major boost for Pakistan as they look to strengthen their batting following the difficult opening Test.
His absence deprived Pakistan of one of their most experienced batters at Headingley, where the tourists failed to build enough substantial partnerships to challenge England.
Broad’s assessment underlined the importance of Babar to Pakistan’s Test batting structure, particularly against an England attack operating in familiar home conditions.
With Pakistan needing a strong response to remain competitive in the series, attention will now centre on Babar’s recovery and whether he is fit enough to return at Lord’s.
