ISLAMABAD: Pakistan batter Shan Masood has been ruled out of the second Test against the West Indies after suffering a fracture to his left index finger, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Friday.
Masood sustained the injury after being struck by a short ball from West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales during the first innings of the opening Test in Trinidad. Despite the injury, the left-hander went on to score his seventh Test century, providing Pakistan’s lone batting highlight in a 90-run defeat.
A scan later confirmed the fracture.
“Following a scan and clinical assessment, Shan is currently undergoing treatment from the Pakistan team medical panel,” the PCB said in a statement.
Masood did not field during the West Indies’ second innings because of the injury. He returned to bat at No. 8 after Pakistan slumped to 53-6 while chasing a target of 211 but managed only three runs before being dismissed. Pakistan was bowled out for 120, handing the hosts victory.
The 35-year-old was removed as Pakistan’s Test captain before the two-match series after the team lost 12 of its 16 Tests under his leadership.
Former captain Babar Azam returned to lead the side but could not prevent Pakistan from slipping to an eighth consecutive away Test defeat.
Pakistan has Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and uncapped Awais Zafar as options to replace Masood in the second Test, which begins on Sunday.
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The PCB said Masood will remain with the squad ahead of Pakistan’s three-Test tour of England later this month. However, his availability for the opening Test at Leeds, starting on Aug. 19, will depend on his recovery and medical assessment.
