Pakistan’s bowling coach Waqar Younis has stated that the Men in Green’s all-format captain Babar Azam’s injury is a major setback ahead of New Zealand T20I series.

Babar was ruled out of the series after suffering a fracture in his right thumb during Sunday morning’s practice session in Queenstown.

Babar will be unable to attend nets for, at least, 12 days, meaning he will not be available for the 18, 20 and 22 December T20Is to be played in Auckland, Hamilton and Napier, respectively.