Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam can play in the second Test against New Zealand starting in Christchurch on Sunday but has not been confirmed in the team, reported AFP.

“He has batted very well in the nets and he’s fine now but he wants to hit some more today and we’ll find out tomorrow,” Mohammad Rizwan, who captained the team on behalf of Azam in the first Test, said on Saturday.

Notably, Azam has not played on the tour since he broke a thumb during a practice session after completing the 14-day quarantine period in New Zealand.

Rizwan described Azam as Pakistan’s Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain whose first-innings century laid the foundation for their 101-run victory in the first Test.

“He’s cleared but he wants to take some more time. If he plays he has a great impact on our team. Williamson batted very solid … Babar Azam has the same role in our team. The result may have been different if Babar was playing,” Rizwan said.

There is a lot at stake for New Zealand in the second Test where they need to win to have a chance of making the World Test Championship final at Lords in June.

New Zealand is competing with Australia, India and England to make it to the finale.

There were occasional showers disrupting practice in Christchurch on Saturday but the forecast is for fine weather throughout the Test.