Masood’s Century Ends in Heartbreak as Fractured Finger Rules Him Out of Second Test

Shan Masood’s heroic century in Tarouba has come at a significant cost. The Pakistan opener has been ruled out of the second Test against West Indies in Port-of-Spain after scans confirmed a fracture in his left index finger, the PCB announced on Thursday.

The injury, sustained while facing Jayden Seales during Pakistan’s first innings, did not prevent Masood from compiling his seventh Test hundred. But the true extent of the damage became evident on the fourth morning, when he emerged at No. 8 with Pakistan reeling at 53 for 6 in a chase of 211. Batting effectively one-handed, unable to place any pressure on his left hand, he managed just three runs before edging a drive to point.

Pakistan ultimately fell 90 runs short at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, a defeat that now carries an added toll.

Doubt for England Tour

The PCB has confirmed that Masood will remain with the squad in the West Indies and will also travel with the team to England, though his participation in the three-match Test series remains uncertain. His availability for the first Test at Leeds, which begins on August 19, will depend entirely on his recovery and clinical progress.

Replacement Options

Pakistan entered the second Test with three batting options to fill Masood’s void. Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel were already added to the squad after Abdullah Fazal was ruled out with a lower-back injury on the eve of the opening Test. They are joined by uncapped right-hand middle-order batter Awais Zafar, who remains in contention for his debut.

The second Test gets underway on Sunday in Port-of-Spain, with Pakistan needing a victory to level the series after their first-Test defeat.

                                               

Relevant news