Reports: Stuart Broad to miss Pakistan Tests in order to attend birth of his first child in November

Senior England pacer Stuart Broad has reportedly ruled himself out of England's Test tour of Pakistan in December due to personal reasons as he and his wife Mollie King are expecting their first child in mid-November. Meanwhile, this was also be the Three Lions' first away Test series ever since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have been at the helm of affairs as the red-ball skipper and coach respectively.

According to reports in The Mail, "the baby’s due date clashes with a training camp in Abu Dhabi, and missing that warm-up period — which includes a game between England and England Lions — would mean he would not be match-ready for a series that will be hosted in Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi from December 1."

Stuart Broad to prioritize family over cricket

Stuart Broad was a key member of England's promising home summer that saw the Three Lions win six of their seven Test matches against three opponents- New Zealand, India, and, South Africa. During this home season, Broad also surpassed the legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath's tally of 563 Test wickets. 

The Nottinghamshire cricketer along with his long-time Test new-ball partner James Anderson  would be expected to challenge arch-rivals Australia when they host them in the next year's Ashes series. 

Meanwhile, this will be England's first visit to Pakistan for a bilateral Test series after 2005. The last time the Three Lions visited there, they ended up suffering a 0-2 loss at the hands of the Inzamam-ul-Haq-led side in a three-match series.

England had defeated Pakistan 4-3 in the recently-concluded seven T20Is and would be hoping to showcase an even better performance in the Test series. Even though the English team might no longer be in contention for a place in next year's WTC final at home, they would be hoping to put up a good show on sub-continent wickets.

In Broad's absence, all eyes will be on James Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Matthew Potts.