Big blow for Zimbabwe as captain Sean Williams ruled out of first Pakistan Test

Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams has been ruled out of the first Test against Pakistan after failing to recover from injury.

Williams had also missed the second T20I of the recently concluded three-match series against Pakistan.

“Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams will miss the first Test match against Pakistan after he failed to fully recover from a soft tissue injury to his left hand in time for the game that gets underway at Harare Sports Club this Thursday. The injury, which had forced him to sit out the second T20I last Friday, flared up during the third game on Sunday,” Zimbabwe Cricket said in a statement.

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Recalled wicketkeeper-batsman Brendan Taylor, who did not feature in Zimbabwe’s previous series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates due to ill health, will lead the home side in Williams’ absence.

“With Williams ruled out, Brendan Taylor has been asked to stand in as Zimbabwe’s captain for the first Test,” the statement added.

The first Test will start on Thursday, with the second scheduled for May 7-11 at the same venue.