TAROUBA: Pakistan suffered another setback on Thursday after top-order batter Shan Masood was ruled out of the second and final Test against the West Indies after fracturing the index finger of his left hand during the series opener.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Shan sustained the injury while batting in the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. A scan and subsequent clinical assessment confirmed the fracture, with the left-hander currently undergoing treatment under the supervision of the Pakistan team’s medical staff.

The PCB added that Shan will remain with the squad in the Caribbean, while his availability for Pakistan’s first Test against England, beginning at Headingley in Leeds on Aug 19, will depend on his recovery and clinical progress.

Shan’s injury is the second setback to Pakistan’s squad since its arrival in the Caribbean. Young opener Abdullah Fazal was ruled out before the first Test after suffering an injury, prompting the selectors to summon Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel as replacements.

The latest blow deprives Pakistan of one of the few positives from an otherwise disappointing first Test, which the tourists lost by 90 runs on Tuesday to trail the two-match series 1-0.

Shan had compiled a composed 109 in the first innings, steadying Pakistan after early wickets and putting the visitors in a strong position before a dramatic collapse saw them surrender a potentially decisive first-innings lead. It was his second Test century in three matches and his first outside Asia since 2022.

Despite the injury, Shan returned to bat in the second innings at number eight but managed only three runs before falling to West Indies pacer Jayden Seales as Pakistan were bowled out for 120 while chasing 211.

Head coach Sarfraz Ahmed later admitted the injury had disrupted Pakistan’s plans.

“Shan scored a brilliant hundred in the first innings but got injured while batting,” Sarfraz said after the match. “That cost us because he couldn’t bat in his proper position in the second innings.”

Pakistan now face another selection decision ahead of the second Test, which starts at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on Sunday, as they attempt to level the series after slipping to a fourth successive Test defeat.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026