Pakistan captain Babar Azam may very well miss the first Test against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui because of his thumb injury. Azam had fractured his right thumb in nets in training and was ruled out of the T20I series.

And now there are chances he may not play the opening Test, starting on December 26. "Babar is under rehab and has done some light training but whether he will be 100 percent match fit in time for the first Test is a long shot," a source said, as per PTI reports. 

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Earlier, a PCB release had said the doctors will keep an eye on Babar's progress before any confirmation over his participation in the first Test.

"During this period, the doctors will continue to monitor Babar's injury before confirming his participation in the first Test, which starts at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on 26 December," the PCB release had said. 

Babar was then taken to a hospital in Queenstown where X-rays revealed the damage. In the absence of Azam, Pakistan is led by vice-captain Shadab Khan. Pakistan has lost the T20I series after losing the first two T20Is. 

If Babar doesn't recover on time, Pakistan will have to go with wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan as captain for the first Test. 

(With PTI Inputs)