Babar Azam will be out of the second Test, Rizwan will lead.

  Babar Azam will be out of the second Test, Rizwan will lead

Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam will not play the second Test against New Zealand and Mohammad Rizwan will lead the Test match in Christchurch.

The captain of the national team suffered a thumb injury on arrival in New Zealand and could not play in the first Test match after the T20 series. Read more: PCB Awards Fair looted by Rizwan and Babar Azam Arriving in Christchurch, Babar Azam had a full net session yesterday, but during the net he felt a slight pain in his thumb. Due to rain in Christchurch on January 2, Babar Azam could not practice batting during the national team's net session, so the team management has decided not to take any risks. In the absence of Babar Azam, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan will lead the national team. 

Dr. Sohail Saleem of the national team said that Babar Azam's injury has clearly improved and that is why he took part in a regular net session yesterday. Read also: Former British umpires sue Cricket Board over alleged racial discrimination "Babar Azam is the captain of the national team and the most important batsman, so we will not be in a hurry," he said. "The medical team is constantly reviewing Babar Azam's injury and we are hopeful that he will be fully available for us for the home series against South Africa," he said. 

The national squad for the second Test against New Zealand consists of these players. Muhammad Rizwan (captain), Sarfraz Ahmed, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Shaun Masood, Fawad Alam, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Muhammad Abbas, Imran Butt, Haris Sohail, Zafar Gohar, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fahim Ashraf. Read more: Pakistan defeated in the first Test match despite Fawad Alam's century It should be noted that Imam-ul-Haq and Shadab Khan have also been ruled out of the series due to injuries. All-rounder Wagner is also out of the series On the other hand, New Zealand all-rounder Neil Wagner has also been ruled out of the second Test due to injury. Wagner suffered a leg injury while batting and two fractures were revealed in his leg.

 But despite the pain and fracture, he continued to bowl with courage and played a key role in his team's victory by taking important wickets, including Fawad Alam. Read also: Kiwi fast bowler Jamieson fined for throwing ball to Faheem Ashraf Wagner is now out of the second Test and will not be able to play cricket for the next five to six weeks. New Zealand have replaced Wagner with fast bowler Matt Henry. The second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played in Christchurch from tomorrow and New Zealand has an unbeaten 0-1 lead in the two-match series.