New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- In a big blow for Pakistan ahead of the first Test against England at Headingley starting Wednesday, Babar Azam has been ruled out due to injury. Babar has been unable to recover in time from an injury to his right hand after being struck during Pakistan's warm-up game against a County Select XI, which happened last week.

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.

More to follow.

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