Why Babar Azam Missed BAN vs PAK 2026 1st Test in Dhaka

Pakistan played the first of two Test matches without talismanic batsman Babar Azam in Dhaka. Azam’s absence was impossible to dismiss during that encounter, as fans and analysts questioned why one of Pakistan’s top hitters stayed out of the first Test.

Why Did Babar Azam Miss Pakistan’s First 2026 Test vs Bangladesh in Dhaka?

Azam was unavoidably absent during that match due to injury. The cricketer played no part in Pakistan’s first series of Test meetings during their ongoing long-format matches vs Bangladesh.

Pakistan Cricket Board Confirms Azam Injury, Shares No Return Timeline

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released an official statement confirming Azam’s reported injury to the media: 

“Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to a injury in left knee. The team’s medical panel is currently assessing his condition. Further updates will be shared in due course,” a section of the PCB’s statement read.

However, no concrete details on his exact return date were shared to the media via this statement. Lingering rumours appear to suggest that Azam will be a part of Pakistan’s second Test squad against Bangladesh in the ongoing series.

Will Babar Azam Play in Second PAK vs BAN 2026 Test?

Recent reports say Babar could make a sensational injury comeback to feature against Bangladesh in the second Test. Several top analysts took to social media right after securing claims from inside sources regarding Azam’s injury status.

It appears that Azam will feature for the Green Shirts Test side against their hosts when the second long-format match begins in few days’ time.

Why is Azam a Major Player within PAK Test Lineup?

Babar has been in electrifying form at T20 level before making himself available for multi-day cricket. Fans expected the cricketer to transfer his proven big-hitting skills towards steering Pakistan to victory versus Bangladesh and a higher World Test Championship (WTC) placement. 

Babar Azam Innings-by-Innings Record vs Bangladesh national cricket team

ODI Innings

Azam’s 50-over performances have been quiet or explosive on separate occasions. The player began his ODI campaign against Bangladesh with a single run outing in a 2018 Asia Cup match in Abu Dhabi.

However, Azam bagged a near-century few months after opening his Bangladesh account with a 96-run performance at Lord’s during the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Babar Azam registered 17 and 9 runs against the Bangladesh squad in Lahore and Kolkata (2023 ODI World Cup)

T20I Innings

Azam has been largely productive for Pakistan against Bangladesh in 20-over cricket. The star batsman began his T20 account against BAN with a half-century (66) in his second appearance after firing blanks versus the Bangladesh squad a day earlier in January 2020.

Azam will have to wait for over 2 years before registering another half-century against Bangladesh. The star cricketer secured 55 runs versus BAN in Christchurch, New Zealand. His aggressive stroke-play in that encounter ended after he was caught out at the T20 World Cup 2022. 

Test Innings

Babar has been in better form against Bangladesh in Test cricket. He opened his Test batting account vs Pakistan’s familiar opposition with a near-daddy hundred (143)