Pakistan will be without star batter Babar Azam for the first Test of their three-match series against England after he was ruled out with a hand injury.

Babar sustained the injury during Pakistan’s warm-up match in Beckenham and will miss the series opener at Headingley, Leeds, starting August 19. He had captained Pakistan during their recent tour of the West Indies.

All-rounder Salman Ali Agha has been appointed captain for the opening Test. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed backed Salman to handle the leadership responsibility and expressed confidence in Pakistan’s preparations.

“Our practice match went really good. We covered all our bases in terms of preparation as a bowling and batting unit,” Sarfaraz said. He added that Salman is expected to grow in confidence with the added responsibility.

Pakistan will hope Babar recovers in time for the second Test at Lord’s, scheduled from August 27 to 31.

The visitors enter the series after drawing 1-1 against the West Indies. Pakistan are currently eighth in the World Test Championship standings, with two wins and four defeats from six matches and a points percentage of 22.22.

England are seventh in the WTC table. They have won four of their 13 matches in the current cycle and will look to make home advantage count after losing their recent series against New Zealand 2-1.

The third Test between England and Pakistan will be played at Edgbaston from September 9 to 13.

The series is an important one for both sides as they look to improve their position in the ongoing WTC cycle.