Although Duckett managed to hold onto the catch after fumbling it initially, he immediately showed signs of pain and clutched his left thumb. England’s team doctor, Glen Rae, provided treatment as Duckett walked off the field.
Due to his injury, Duckett was unable to open England’s innings. In his absence, Ollie Pope stepped in alongside Zak Crawley. However, Pope was dismissed quickly, falling on his second ball to a spectacular catch by Aamer Jamal at midwicket. Despite this early setback, England managed to stabilize their innings, reaching 96 for 1 by the close of play on Day 2.
An England team spokesperson expressed hope that Duckett’s thumb injury would settle overnight, and currently, no scans are scheduled. However, it remains unclear whether he will be able to bat on Day 3. Duckett's absence could pose a significant challenge for England, as he has been a key player in their lineup. Notably, Duckett was the second-highest run-scorer during England’s 3-0 series win in Pakistan two years ago, and since his recall, he has averaged an impressive 44.05 in 23 Test matches.
If Duckett is unable to bat, England will likely need to reshuffle their lineup. One possible option is Jordan Cox, a spare batter in the squad who has previously opened for Kent in first-class cricket. Another option could be the return of Ben Stokes, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Stokes has been increasing his training intensity, practicing slip catches, running, and even bowling a few overs during the day’s play.
England’s resources are already stretched thin ahead of the second Test. Olly Stone is set to leave the tour to attend his wedding in the UK, which further reduces the team's bowling options. If Duckett remains unavailable for the next match, England may need to make further adjustments to their lineup to maintain balance.
Duckett’s injury adds another layer of complexity to England’s challenges in this series. His fitness will be closely monitored over the next 24 hours, and his availability could significantly impact England’s performance for the rest of the Test. The team remains hopeful for a quick recovery, but it remains to be seen if Duckett will be ready to return to the crease.