Pak vs Eng, 1st Test – England sweating on Ben Duckett’s fitness after alleged dislocated thumb

Duckett was running at the crease when Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan’s number 11, steered a short ball from Joe Root straight to his six-wicket header. He held on for the second attempt but collapsed from the pain, and received treatment from England doctor Glen Rae as he left the field.

An England spokesman said the team hoped Duckett’s injury would subside overnight and he would not have to undergo a test, but it was not clear on Tuesday evening whether he would be available to bat on day three.

It would be a significant blow for England to lose Duckett, at least after opting to stick with their six-batsman, five-bowler formation without Ben Stokes. He was England’s second-highest run-scorer in their 3-0 series whitewash in Pakistan two years ago and, with an average of 44.05 in 23 Tests since his return on that tour, has emerged as one of the most valuable players .

Stokes is heading into the second Test of his comeback from a hamstring injury and confirmed his recovery on Tuesday. He caught the slips and made a high run before the game started, hit the nets behind the Waqar Younis Stand for about 45 minutes at lunch, and bowled three overs at tea with James Anderson – back with the team after competing in the pro. – golf tournament last week – watching.