Abdullah Fazal ruled out of West Indies and England Tests

Pakistan top-order batter Abdullah Fazal is set to be ruled out of the Test series against West Indies and England after picking up a lower back injury. According to a PCB statement, the injury was sustained during a training session on Thursday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, where the first Test against West Indies will be played. No decision has yet been announced concerning a replacement. Since making his debut against Bangladesh in May, Fazal, 23, has emerged as one of Pakistan's brightest prospects in recent months. He was Pakistan's highest scorer in his debut Test, posting half-centuries in each innings. He was unbeaten in both innings in Pakistan's tour match against a West Indies Select XI earlier this week, scoring 50 and 48 runs, and he was guaranteed to start the first Test. Awais Zafar, a middle-order batter, will make his debut as a result of Fazal's absence. Zafar was called up as a replacement for Saud Shakeel, who was not part of the squad owing to fitness concerns. Imam-ul-Haq, who missed Pakistan's most recent Test against Bangladesh with Azan Awais and Fazal opening, is now expected to regain his spot as opener. The PCB statement did not specify how the injury was sustained during the training session, but said that "following an MRI scan and clinical assessment, the team's medical panel confirmed that Abdullah will require a period of rehabilitation." "I wish Abdullah good luck and hope he recovers well," Pakistan captain Babar Azam said. "I found his talent to be very inspiring. After his first series, he was extremely upbeat and confident. The injury will come as a significant blow at this early stage in Fazal's career, who had an opportunity to consolidate his position in the national side on two high-profile away tours. In August, Pakistan travels to England for a three-match series that follows the two Tests they played in the West Indies.