England expect Duckett to bat despite thumb injury



England expect Ben Duckett to be fit to bat on day three of the first Test despite the opener suffering a thumb injury in Multan.

Duckett sustained a suspected dislocation taking a catch to dismiss Pakistan number 11 Abrar Ahmed.

The 29-year-old received treatment on the field and did not emerge at the beginning of England’s reply to the hosts’ 556.

Ollie Pope opened in his place and was out for a duck, but Zak Crawley and Joe Root were able to steady the tourists to 96-1.

"Ben’s OK," said pace bowler Brydon Carse. "He’s just taken a knock. He’ll be assessed overnight and he’ll be back batting tomorrow."

Left-hander Duckett was not in a position to bat on Tuesday evening, though England have confirmed there are no plans for him to have a scan.

If he is fit to bat on Wednesday, he does not need to drop any further down the order because he has suffered an external injury.

Duckett has established himself as a key part of the England team since he was recalled on the 2022 tour of Pakistan after a six-year absence from Test cricket.

Since his return, only England team-mate Joe Root has topped his tally of 1,718 runs in Tests across the globe.

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