Pakistan vs England Test Squads 2026, Schedule, Key Players and Everything You Need

Pakistan last toured England in 2024 and won two Tests at home against England in October 2024. This is their first series in England since 2020. Headingley is Pakistan’s first stop, a ground where Azhar Ali and Babar Azam’s famous rearguard in 2020 produced one of Test cricket’s most memorable draws.

Lord’s hosts the 2nd Test on August 27. Pakistan have not played at Lord’s against England since 2018. Edgbaston in Birmingham closes the series on September 9.

Pakistan vs England Test Schedule 2026

Pakistan Test Squad for England 2026

Babar Azam leads Pakistan for the first time in England. His Test captaincy was restored in 2026 after a two-year gap. The squad includes two wicketkeepers in Mohammad Rizwan and Ghazi Ghori. Pakistan won first away test under Babar Azam Captaincy in early August 2026.

Shan Masood is named after recovering from the injury that ruled him out of the West Indies 2nd Test. Two spinners, Sajid Khan and Ali Usman, are both included as the pitches at Headingley and Edgbaston may offer turn later in matches.

#	Player	Role
1	Imam-ul-Haq	Batter
2	Azan Awais	Batter
3	Abdullah Fazal	Batter
4	Muhammad Awais Zafar	Batter
5	Shan Masood	Batter
6	Babar Azam (C)	Batter
7	Salman Agha	All-rounder
8	Ghazi Ghori	Wicketkeeper Batter
9	Saud Shakeel	Batter
10	Mohammad Rizwan	Wicketkeeper Batter
11	Ali Usman	Left-arm Spinner
12	Sajid Khan	Off-spinner
13	Mohammad Abbas	Pace Bowler
14	Mohammad Ali	Pace Bowler
15	Khurram Shahzad	Pace Bowler
16	Ubaid Shah	Pace Bowler

England Test Squad for Pakistan Series 2026

Joe Root returns as England Test captain. Root replaces Ben Stokes who stepped back from captaincy duties. Jordan Cox comes into the squad after Jacob Bethell was ruled out injured.

Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence earn recalls. Jofra Archer is fit and selected. His pace and skill against Pakistan’s top order is England’s most dangerous weapon in this series.

#	Player	Role
1	Joe Root (C)	Batter
2	Zak Crawley	Opening Batter
3	Ben Duckett	Batter
4	Ollie Pope	Batter
5	Harry Brook	Batter
6	Dan Lawrence	Batter
7	Jordan Cox †	Wicketkeeper Batter
8	Brydon Carse	Pace Bowler
9	Gus Atkinson	Pace Bowler
10	Jofra Archer	Pace Bowler
11	Josh Tongue	Pace Bowler
12	Ollie Robinson	Pace Bowler
13	Sam Cook	Pace Bowler
14	Matthew Fisher	Pace Bowler
15	Shoaib Bashir	Off-spinner
16	Jack Leach	Left-arm Spinner

Babar Azam vs Joe Root: Captain vs Captain

Every Pakistan fan asks this question. The answer is more complicated than a single number.

Root averages 47.50 in recent Tests versus Babar’s 42.31. Root leads on volume, average and home advantage. He has played every English county ground in this schedule. He knows Headingley, Lord’s and Edgbaston the way Babar knows the National Stadium in Karachi.

Babar’s edge is his 2nd innings average of 40.20, the highest in Pakistan’s current XI. When the match is live and the pressure is real, Babar performs. In England, that will be tested every single session. English pitches swing early, seam throughout, and offer spinners nothing in the first three days. Babar must find a way to survive the new ball before he can dominate.

Jofra Archer vs Abdullah Shafique: Pace vs Technique

Jofra Archer at Headingley is one of cricket’s most dangerous combinations. The pitch at Headingley offers genuine pace and bounce. Archer bowls at 95 miles per hour and uses the short ball with precision.

Abdullah Shafique’s 2nd innings average of 16.00 since July 2024 shows he struggles when pressure arrives.

The first morning of the 1st Test at Headingley will tell Pakistan’s fans everything. If Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq survive the first hour against Archer and Josh Tongue, Pakistan’s top order has a chance. If they fall cheaply, the pattern that has defined Pakistan’s Test cricket since mid-2024 continues on English soil.

Pakistan vs England Head to Head: Last 5 Tests

• Last 5 Tests · England lead 3-2
• Pakistan won by 9 wickets24 Oct 2024
• Pakistan won by 152 runs15 Oct 2024
• England won by an innings and 47 runs07 Oct 2024
• England won by 8 wickets17 Dec 2022
• England won by 26 runs09 Dec 2022

England lead 3-2 in the last five Tests. Pakistan won two Tests at home in October 2024 but lost the first Test of that series by an innings. Away from home in England, Pakistan’s record is much harder.

Their last Test win in England was in 2016 at The Oval. Headingley in 2020 ended in a famous draw. The conditions in August favour swing bowling and seam movement, which England exploit better than any team in the world.

ICC Test Rankings: August 5, 2026

Pos	Team	Matches	Points	Rating
1	Australia	24	3138	131
2	South Africa	19	2256	119
3	New Zealand	22	2336	106
4	India	26	2714	104
5	England	32	3158	99
6	Sri Lanka	16	1222	76
7	Pakistan	19	1427	75
8	West Indies	27	2008	74
9	Bangladesh	21	1539	73
10	Zimbabwe	13	217	17

Pakistan rank 7th. England rank 5th. The gap is 24 rating points. Pakistan can close that gap significantly with a series win in England. A 3-0 England win pushes Pakistan further from WTC Final contention. The stakes are real.

Pakistan’s management knows it. This series is not just about cricket results. It is about whether Pakistan belong in the top tier of Test cricket in 2026.

Key Players to Watch

For Pakistan: Mohammad Abbas is the bowler who can cause problems in English conditions. He swings the ball both ways, operates at a full length and does not bowl bad balls. His economy rate of 2.86 is elite. If Abbas finds swing at Headingley, England’s top order will face a long morning.

For England: Harry Brook averages 41.22 with a strike rate of 86.07 in recent Tests. He attacks from ball one. Pakistan’s spinners will have to contain him in the second innings when the pitch turns.

People Also Ask

When does Pakistan vs England Test series 2026 start?

The 1st Test starts August 19 at Headingley, Leeds. The 2nd Test is at Lord’s from August 27. The 3rd Test is at Edgbaston, Birmingham from September 9 to 13, 2026.

What is Pakistan’s Test squad for England 2026?

Pakistan’s squad: Babar Azam (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Awais Zafar, Shan Masood, Salman Agha, Ghazi Ghori, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Ali Usman, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Ubaid Shah.

What is England’s Test squad for Pakistan series 2026?

England’s 16-man squad: Joe Root (c), Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jordan Cox, Shoaib Bashir, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue. Jordan Cox replaces injured Jacob Bethell.

Who is better in Tests: Babar Azam or Joe Root?

Joe Root averages 47.50 in recent Tests with 855 runs in 10 matches. Babar Azam averages 42.31 with 677 runs in 9 matches. Root leads on average and home advantage. Babar’s 2nd innings average of 40.20 shows he handles pressure well. In English conditions, Root holds the clear edge.

What is the head to head record between Pakistan and England?

England lead 3-2 in the last five Tests. Pakistan won by 9 wickets and 152 runs in October 2024 at home. England won the other three including a win by an innings and 47 runs in October 2024 and two wins in December 2022.

Where does Pakistan rank in ICC Test rankings 2026?

Pakistan are 7th in the ICC Test team rankings as of August 5, 2026 with a rating of 75. England are 5th with 99. Australia lead at 131.

Is Jofra Archer playing against Pakistan in 2026?

Yes. Jofra Archer is fit and selected in England’s 16-man squad for the Pakistan Test series 2026. He has taken 24 wickets in 6 recent Tests at an economy of 3.15.

Why does Pakistan vs England 2026 matter for WTC?

Pakistan are 9th in the WTC 2025-27 table with 4 points. England are 5th with a rating of 99. A Pakistan series win would significantly improve their WTC standing and keep alive any hope of qualifying for the WTC Final. A series loss extends Pakistan’s difficult run in red-ball cricket.