Shan Masood Ruled Out of Second West Indies Test After Finger Fracture
Pakistan lose another key player as captain Shan Masood suffers a fractured finger, adding to selection concerns ahead of the series decider.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood leaves the field after suffering a finger injury during the first Test.
Pakistan have suffered another setback ahead of the second Test against the West Indies after Shan Masood fractured the index finger of his left hand and was ruled out of the match.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Thursday that the left-handed batter picked up the injury while batting during the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Medical scans confirmed the fracture. The team’s medical staff has started his treatment and will continue to monitor his recovery.
After more than 100 words, Shan Masood remained Pakistan’s biggest concern. The PCB said he would stay with the squad in the Caribbean while completing his rehabilitation. His availability for Pakistan’s first Test against England at Headingley on August 19 will depend on his recovery and medical assessments.
The injury marks the second setback for Pakistan since arriving in the Caribbean. Opener Abdullah Fazal suffered an injury before the first Test, forcing selectors to call up Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel as replacements.
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Masood’s absence is a significant blow because he produced one of Pakistan’s best performances in the series opener. He scored a composed 109 in the first innings and steadied the batting after early wickets. His century put Pakistan in a strong position before the team suffered a dramatic collapse.
Masood returned to bat in the second innings despite the injury. He came in at number eight but scored only three runs before Jayden Seales dismissed him. Pakistan were later bowled out for 120 while chasing 211.
Head coach Sarfraz Ahmed admitted that losing Masood changed Pakistan’s batting plans.
“Shan scored a brilliant hundred in the first innings but got injured while batting. That cost us because he couldn’t bat in his proper position in the second innings,” Sarfraz said.
Pakistan lost the opening Test by 90 runs and trail the two-match series 1-0. The team must win the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain to level the series and avoid a fifth consecutive Test defeat.
