'90% fit': Babar Azam confirms availability for Lord's Test

Pakistan captain Babar Azam says he is nearing full fitness after a hand injury as the team prepares for the second Test against England at Lord’s.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Babar said he had recovered around 90% and was continuing to train ahead of the match, which begins on August 27.

“I had a couple of training sessions yesterday and, after this, I’m going for another practice session,” he told reporters, adding that he is fit for the Lord’s Test starting Thursday.

Babar missed Pakistan’s defeat in the opening Test in Leeds after injuring his hand during a three-day warm-up match against a Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI in Beckenham earlier this month.

The Pakistan skipper was struck on the finger by a sharp delivery from pacer Manny Lumsden during the side’s first innings. He received medical attention before leaving the field after making five runs from 17 balls.

It was the second time in a month that Babar had suffered a blow to the hand, following a similar incident during Pakistan’s Test series against the West Indies.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had subsequently advised the batter to sit out the remainder of the warm-up fixture as a precaution.

The second Test will be played at Lord’s from August 27 to 31, with Pakistan looking to bounce back in the three-match away series.