TAROUBA: Pakistan's cricket team faces another hurdle as top-order batsman Shan Masood has been officially ruled out of the second and final Test against the West Indies due to a fractured index finger on his left hand. This injury occurred during the first Test match held at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, where Masood was batting.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that a scan and clinical assessment revealed the fracture, and Masood is currently receiving treatment from the team’s medical staff. Despite the setback, he will remain with the squad in the Caribbean, but his participation in Pakistan's upcoming Test against England, scheduled to begin at Headingley in Leeds on August 19, will hinge on his recovery progress.
This injury marks the second significant loss for Pakistan since arriving in the Caribbean. Young opener Abdullah Fazal was ruled out prior to the first Test due to an injury, leading selectors to call up Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel as replacements. The absence of Masood further complicates the team's situation as they look to bounce back from a disappointing start to the series.
Masood's injury is particularly impactful as he was one of the few highlights for Pakistan in the first Test, where the team suffered a 90-run defeat, leaving them trailing 1-0 in the two-match series. In that match, he scored a commendable 109 runs in the first innings, helping stabilize the innings after an early collapse. This century was his second in just three Tests, and notably, it was his first century outside Asia since 2022.
Despite his injury, Masood attempted to bat again in the second innings, coming in at number eight, but could only manage three runs before being dismissed by West Indies pacer Jayden Seales. Pakistan's second innings ended in a mere 120 runs while chasing a target of 211, highlighting the team's struggles.
Head coach Sarfraz Ahmed acknowledged the disruption caused by Masood's injury, stating, “Shan scored a brilliant hundred in the first innings but got injured while batting. That cost us because he couldn’t bat in his proper position in the second innings.” With the series on the line, Pakistan now faces crucial selection decisions ahead of the second Test, which is set to take place at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on Sunday. The team is eager to level the series after enduring a fourth consecutive Test defeat.
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