LONDON, Aug 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against England at Headingley starting Wednesday.

Azam has been unable to overcome an injury to his right hand after being struck during Pakistan's warm-up game last week against a County Select XI.

It is the same hand he was struck on during the second Test against the West Indies earlier this month.

"Pakistan captain Babar Azam is unavailable for the first Test match," Pakistan coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said Tuesday.

"Salman Ali Agha will be the captain for the first Test."

The match at Headingley is the first of a three-Test series.