The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Thursday that Babar Azam will miss the first Test against Bangladesh due to a left knee injury sustained before the match.

The PCB issued an official statement confirming the absence of the the 31-year-old batter from the series opener, which begins at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on May 8.

The board added that the medical panel of the national team is currently assessing the condition of the former captain, with further updates to be shared in due course.

Match details

The first of two Tests between Bangladesh and Pakistan is scheduled to be played in Dhaka, running from May 8 through to May 12 at the venue.

Pakistan are touring Bangladesh for a two-match Test series, with the absence of right-hander now confirmed for at least the opening fixture of that away assignment.

Babar had been the leading run-scorer in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, amassing 588 runs across eleven innings at an average of 73.02 for the tournament.

He struck at a rate of 145.90, scoring two centuries and three fifties throughout the PSL 11 campaign before the national team tour of Bangladesh began.

His standout innings included a century in the Qualifier match against Islamabad United, helping Peshawar Zalmi advance to the final, where they won the PSL 11 title.

Following that Qualifier innings, Babar said he had begun to feel he was returning to his best form after a difficult period in his international career.