Brandon King ruled out of second Test after lower back injury

West Indies opener Brandon King has been ruled out of the remainder of the second Test against Pakistan at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, after sustaining a lower back injury on August 4, 2026. Cricket West Indies confirmed that King will take no further part in the match.

King was fielding at short cover during Pakistan’s innings on day three when he executed a direct throw that ran out Babar Azam. The effort left King on the ground in visible discomfort, and he had to be stretchered off the field shortly afterwards.

Cricket West Indies subsequently diagnosed King with lower back muscle spasms. The board ruled him out of further play as a precautionary measure on the same day the injury occurred. The second Test is scheduled to run from August 2 to 6, 2026, at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

How did King sustain the lower back injury?

King’s injury came about when he threw directly from short cover to dismiss Babar Azam, who had been attempting a quick single during Pakistan’s innings. The throw found its mark and ran out Azam for 88, but the physical effort of the delivery left King in significant discomfort on the field.

He was unable to get up immediately after the throw and remained on the ground before being stretchered off. Cricket West Indies later confirmed the diagnosis of lower back muscle spasms, with the ruling taken as a precaution on day three of the match. The incident meant West Indies lost one of their top-order batters mid-match, with King unable to bat or field for the rest of the game.

The direct throw that caused the injury was also a key moment in the match itself, removing Babar Azam, one of Pakistan’s most experienced batters, for 88 when he was well set at the crease.

What is King’s availability for the rest of the match?

Cricket West Indies confirmed on August 5, 2026, that King will not bat or take any further part in the second Test. His absence leaves West Indies without one of their top-order batters for the remaining days of the match, which is scheduled to conclude on August 6, 2026.

The board has not disclosed a recovery timeline or return-to-play date for King beyond the day-three precautionary ruling. No information has been provided regarding his availability for any subsequent matches in the Pakistan tour of West Indies 2026 series. Those details remain unconfirmed at the time of writing.