1 week ago
Babar Azam Set to Return for Pakistan’s Lord’s Test
Babar Azam is Pakistan’s captain and an important batter.
He missed the first Test against England because he hurt a finger on his right hand.
Pakistan lost that match by an innings and 103 runs.
Babar says he is about 90% fit and feels comfortable after practicing in the nets.
One report said he faced fast bowlers, spinners and throwdowns, while another said he later faced only throwdowns.
He is expected to return as captain and bat at No.
4.
Pakistan may change its batting order to make room for him.
The team will study the Lord’s pitch before choosing the players for the match.
Babar Azam says he is 90% fit and available to captain Pakistan in the second Test against England.
He missed Pakistan’s innings defeat at Headingley after injuring the middle finger of his right hand.
Azam practiced in the nets, with reports differing over whether he faced fast bowling during the sessions.
His return is expected to prompt a batting-order reshuffle, likely placing him at No. 4.
Pakistan will inspect the grass-covered Lord’s pitch before deciding its final XI and whether to select Salman Ali Agha as a second spinner.
- Who
- Babar Azam, Pakistan, England, stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha, and bowling coach Umar Gul.
- What
- Babar Azam has declared himself available to return as Pakistan’s captain for the second Test after missing the opener with a finger injury.
- Where
- Lord’s in London; the first Test was played at Headingley in Leeds.
- When
- The second Test is scheduled for August 27-31, 2026; Babar practiced on August 25 and spoke before the match.
- Why
- Pakistan is seeking to recover from its innings defeat and England’s 1-0 series lead, while Babar’s return could strengthen its batting lineup.
Babar’s Return Strengthens Pakistan
Fitness and Selection Still Require Assessment
Availability
Babar’s Return Strengthens Pakistan
Babar said he was 90% fit, comfortable and available after batting in practice sessions; one report described his return as confirmed.
Fitness and Selection Still Require Assessment
Other reports described him as likely to play and said Pakistan’s management would assess his match fitness before finalizing the XI.
Batting reshuffle
Babar’s Return Strengthens Pakistan
Babar’s return is expected to reinforce Pakistan’s top order and place him at his regular No. 4 position.
Fitness and Selection Still Require Assessment
His selection could displace Azan Awais or Imam-ul-Haq, while Abdullah Shafique scored a half-century at No. 4 in the first Test and has been backed to continue in a familiar position.
Practice and bowling strategy
Babar’s Return Strengthens Pakistan
Umar Gul said Babar faced fast bowlers, spinners and throwdowns during a full net session, and Pakistan is considering Salman Ali Agha as a second spinner.
Fitness and Selection Still Require Assessment
Another report said Babar later faced throwdowns but notably no fast bowling, while England was described as highly unlikely to select a spinner; Pakistan also has not decided on two spinners until it assesses the pitch.
Key facts
- Series
- Three-Test series between Pakistan and England
- Series score
- England leads 1-0
- Second Test
- Scheduled for August 27-31, 2026, at Lord’s in London
- Azam’s fitness
- Babar described himself as 90% fit and available for the match and the rest of the series
- Injury
- A blow to the middle finger of Babar’s right hand ruled him out of the first Test
- Expected batting position
- Babar is expected to bat at No. 4, while Abdullah Shafique is expected to remain at No. 3
- Potential team changes
- Azan Awais or Imam-ul-Haq could make way for Babar, and Salman Ali Agha is being considered as a second spinner
- First Test result
- Pakistan lost to England by an innings and 103 runs inside three days at Headingley
Quotes
Babar Azam
Pakistan captain
“The number Abdullah is batting, he should [continue to] play there. He's batted three and four since his comeback. He's got confidence there so he'll continue there. We need to [stamp out] the back-to-back wickets we lose. The senior batters need to be more focused and make up for it.”
wionews.com
“You need to produce complete team performances. You have to bowl and bat in partnerships. And you have to take it deep as a batter if you're set. If you're set, it's a little easier. For a new batter, it's a little bit difficult to build partnerships,””
wionews.com
Sources
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Babar Azam Eyes Comeback: Pakistan Captain Smashes Deliveries In Nets Ahead Of ENG Vs PAK 2nd Test At Lord's
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