Shan Masood Ruled Out of Second West Indies Test Due to Finger Injury
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistan’s preparations for the second Test against the West Indies have suffered a major setback after experienced batter Shan Masood was ruled out with a finger injury.
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Shan fractured the index finger of his left hand while batting during the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Medical scans confirmed the fracture, and he is currently receiving treatment under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.
The PCB stated that Shan will remain with the squad in the Caribbean. His participation in Pakistan’s first Test against England, scheduled to begin on August 19 at Headingley in Leeds, will depend on his recovery and medical assessment in the coming weeks.
This is the second injury setback for Pakistan during the tour. Earlier, young opener Abdullah Fazal was ruled out before the opening Test due to injury, leading the selectors to bring in Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel as replacements.
Shan Masood was one of Pakistan’s standout performers in the first Test despite the team’s 90-run defeat. He played a valuable innings of 109 runs in the first innings, helping stabilize the batting after early wickets. It was his second Test century in his last three matches and his first Test hundred outside Asia since 2022.
Although injured, Shan returned to bat in the second innings at number eight but managed only three runs before being dismissed. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 120 while chasing a target of 211, allowing the West Indies to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
After the match, head coach Sarfraz Ahmed acknowledged the impact of Shan’s injury, saying the team missed having him available in his usual batting position during the second innings.
Pakistan will now have to make changes to their playing XI for the second Test, which begins on Sunday at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain. The visitors will be aiming to bounce back and level the series after suffering four consecutive Test defeats.
