In April 2018, Pakistani leg-spin bowler Yasir Shah was ruled out for ten weeks, due to stress fracture of a hip, causing him to miss the entire tour. Yasir reportedly needed to "undergo extensive rehabilitation". The Pakistan selectors were said to be considering either leg spinner Shadab Khan (who was chosen) or left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti as replacement.[13][14]
Babar Azam of Pakistan was ruled out of the remainder of the Test series after fracturing his forearm when he was hit by a delivery from Ben Stokes on the second day of the first Test.[15] For the second Test, Keaton Jennings was added to England's squad, with Mark Stoneman being dropped.[16]Sam Curran was also added to England's squad for the second Test, as cover for Ben Stokes, who suffered a hamstring injury.[17]
Alastair Cook (Eng) set a new record of playing in the most consecutive Tests (154).[20]
Notes
^ abWhile five days of play were scheduled for each Test, the first Test reached a result within four days, and the second Test reached a result within three days.