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Just when Abdullah Fazal was looking good to establish himself as one of Pakistan’s reliable top-order Test batters, the 23-year-old has been ruled out of Pakistan’s two-Test series against the West Indies due to a lower back injury. He was training with the squad in the Brian Lara Cricket Academy when he sustained the injury, and Pakistan had to make a last-minute change for the first Test in Tarouba.

The young opener has been advised to go for an MRI scan, following which the PCB announced that Fazal will have to start his rehabilitation. The left-hander has also been ruled out of Pakistan’s three-Test series against England, beginning August 19, as he continues his recovery.

A promising rise paused at the wrong time: Abdullah Fazal

Abdullah Fazal had quickly emerged as one of Pakistan’s brightest young batting prospects. After making his Test debut during the away series against Bangladesh in May, the right-hander impressed with 141 runs from two matches at an average of 35.25, including two composed half-centuries.

His form carried into the build-up for the West Indies series. In Pakistan’s warm-up match against the West Indies Select XI at Queen’s Park Cricket Club, Abdullah Fazal remained unbeaten in both innings, scoring 50 and 48. Those performances had virtually secured him a place in the starting XI before injury struck.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his disappointment over losing one of the team’s emerging talents.

“I wish Abdullah good luck and hope he recovers well. The kind of talent he is I found very inspiring. He was very confident after his first series and his morale was very high,” Babar said, as quoted by the ICC.

Pakistan forced to rethink the top order

Abdullah Fazal’s absence leaves Pakistan with an immediate selection dilemma at the top of the order.

Experienced opener Imam-ul-Haq, who missed the previous Test against Bangladesh, is now expected to return to the playing XI. His experience could provide stability alongside Azan Awais as Pakistan look to negotiate the Caribbean pace attack.

The injury also creates an opportunity for middle-order batsman Awais Zafar, who was originally drafted into the squad as a replacement for the injured Saud Shakeel. Zafar is now in line to make his Test debut if Pakistan opts to strengthen its batting lineup.

For Abdullah Fazal, the timing of the injury could hardly be worse.

The West Indies series represented an opportunity to establish itself as Pakistan’s first-choice opener before the challenging Test tour of England. Instead, the youngster now faces a rehabilitation period that sidelines him from two important overseas assignments at a stage when consistent opportunities are vital for his development.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will hope their reshaped batting order can quickly adapt as they begin the first Test against the West Indies on July 25 before turning their attention to the demanding three-match series in England.

While Fazal’s international journey has been temporarily paused, his performances over the past few months suggest this setback is likely to be only a brief interruption rather than the end of his rise in Pakistan cricket.