Pakistan face a late selection decision over Babar Azam ahead of the opening Test against England at Headingley on Wednesday, with the captain’s availability in doubt after he was struck on his injured right hand during a warm-up match in Kent while batting.

Babar had sustained the hand injury during Pakistan’s second Test against the West Indies, which Pakistan won to level the two-match series. The batter was subsequently hit on the same hand after scoring five runs for Pakistan against the Professional Cricket Club (PCC) Select XI.

He left the field after the blow and, as a precaution, did not take any further part in the match. Pakistan nevertheless completed a comfortable preparation victory, with Saud Shakeel scoring a determined century and Imam-ul-Haq contributing a solid half-century.

The setback has prompted Pakistan’s selectors to delay their final decision on the team for the first Test as they assess whether Babar will be fit enough to take his place in the side.

“Whether he will play or not will be decided on the match day. But today he has done little of throw-down batting practice and medical team is working with him,” Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas told reporters at Headingley on Monday.

Babar did take part in training at Headingley on Monday and, according to witnesses, he appeared to be moving and batting without obvious discomfort. His condition will nevertheless be closely monitored before Pakistan settle on their playing XI.

The 31-year-old remains one of Pakistan’s most important batters and his presence would provide considerable experience to a side looking to make a strong start to the three-match series in England.

Should Babar be ruled out, Saud Shakeel and Awais Zafar are among those in contention for a place in the batting order.

Zafar made his Test debut in Pakistan’s second match against the West Indies, while Saud missed that series altogether. Saud has, however, made a strong case for inclusion after scoring an impressive century against the Select XI in the warm-up fixture.

Pakistan will also welcome the return of Shan, who is expected to be available for the first Test after recovering from a fractured finger suffered during the West Indies tour.

The injury had kept Shan out of the second Test, but sources said he has been training well and is feeling fit ahead of the England series.

For Pakistan, the immediate priority will be to establish Babar’s fitness and settle the batting combination before the Test begins at Headingley.

England, meanwhile, will be looking to exploit home conditions and put early pressure on a Pakistan side that has had an interrupted build-up because of injuries.