<p>Recovering from a thumb injury, Pakistan captain Babar Azam could miss the opening Test against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui beginning Dec. 26.</p>.<p>Babar, who has been Pakistan's top run-scorer across all three formats since last year, suffered a fracture in his thumb during a throw-down session in Queenstown on Dec. 12, which ruled him out of the three-match T20 series.</p>.<p>"Babar is under rehab and has done some light training but whether he will be 100 per cent match fit in time for the first Test is a long shot," said a source aware of the developments in New Zealand.</p>.<p>Led by vice-captain Shadab Khan, Pakistan looked rusty as a team and lost the first T20 in Auckland on Friday.</p>.<p>Pakistan has also lost opener Imam-ul-Haq due to a thumb fracture and he has been advised at least 12 days of rest.</p>.<p>Babar has also been given a 12-day rehab and rest period to be fit again but the source said the Pakistan captain's injury was taking time to heal and he was still unable to hold a bat properly.</p>.<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/babars-ouster-a-major-setback-pak-bowling-coach-waqar-927055.html">Babar's ouster a major setback: Pak bowling coach Waqar</a></strong></p>.<p>The source said that Babar and Imam would have scans on their injuries on Dec. 25. If the fractures show healing, Babar could then take a risk for the first Test but it would depend on how fit he feels at that time.</p>.<p>The Pakistan squad had to undergo an extended 14-day quarantine period in Christchurch after around 10 players tested positive for Covid-19 with four diagnosed as historical cases and six new infections.</p>.<p>If Babar is not fit in time for the first Test, wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan will lead the side as he was named Test vice-captain before the tour.</p>
<p>Recovering from a thumb injury, Pakistan captain Babar Azam could miss the opening Test against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui beginning Dec. 26.</p>.<p>Babar, who has been Pakistan's top run-scorer across all three formats since last year, suffered a fracture in his thumb during a throw-down session in Queenstown on Dec. 12, which ruled him out of the three-match T20 series.</p>.<p>"Babar is under rehab and has done some light training but whether he will be 100 per cent match fit in time for the first Test is a long shot," said a source aware of the developments in New Zealand.</p>.<p>Led by vice-captain Shadab Khan, Pakistan looked rusty as a team and lost the first T20 in Auckland on Friday.</p>.<p>Pakistan has also lost opener Imam-ul-Haq due to a thumb fracture and he has been advised at least 12 days of rest.</p>.<p>Babar has also been given a 12-day rehab and rest period to be fit again but the source said the Pakistan captain's injury was taking time to heal and he was still unable to hold a bat properly.</p>.<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/babars-ouster-a-major-setback-pak-bowling-coach-waqar-927055.html">Babar's ouster a major setback: Pak bowling coach Waqar</a></strong></p>.<p>The source said that Babar and Imam would have scans on their injuries on Dec. 25. If the fractures show healing, Babar could then take a risk for the first Test but it would depend on how fit he feels at that time.</p>.<p>The Pakistan squad had to undergo an extended 14-day quarantine period in Christchurch after around 10 players tested positive for Covid-19 with four diagnosed as historical cases and six new infections.</p>.<p>If Babar is not fit in time for the first Test, wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan will lead the side as he was named Test vice-captain before the tour.</p>