Babar Azam Returns for Pakistan in Second Test vs ENG

Pakistan top batter Babar Azam made his return for Pakistan against England during the ongoing three-match Test series. The skilled batsman returns to red-ball action for Pakistan after recovering from a recent injury.

I’m 90% Fit, Babar Says Ahead of Test vs ENG

“Yes, 90% I’m fit for tomorrow’s match,” the batter said during a press briefing on August 26, 2026. Azam also noted that his side were not up to standards during the Headingley Test:

“We’re not playing up to the mark, the way the England team is playing,” the skipper said, as Pakistan were outplayed in the first two days of the encounter. The captain says his side sat down to discuss their mistakes after that game while looking forward to the next Test:

“But after that, we sat together and discussed our mistakes. And we just forget those things and look forward to tomorrow’s match,” he concluded.

Why is Azam Important to Pakistan’s Squad Ahead of Second Test vs ENG?

Leadership

The Pakistan national team is in desperate need of a boost to secure their first victory in this three-match series. Pakistan is yet to make a winning appearance in the series after enduring an embarrassing defeat at Headingley during the series opener.

Current stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha could not guide the squad towards expected results in that encounter as they crashed out of the first Test early with several days to spare.

The defeat by an innings and 103 runs is still fresh in fans’ minds as Pakistan plays another game against their hosts from August 27.

Batting order stability

Pakistan were bowled out for just 171 in their first innings before collapsing for 135 in the second. Babar’s return at No. 4 could force a reshuffle at the top of the order and provide the much-needed anchor for a fragile lineup.

Historical dominance

The 31-year-old batter could gun for a massive score if he enters the playing XI on Friday. Babar brings patience and hitting power to Pakistan’s game and may seek to defend their pride during this second successive match in 2026.

He has enjoyed considerable success in English conditions throughout his career while averaging 65.75 from six Test innings in the country. His overall record against England is similarly impressive at an average of 53.83 from 14 innings that include one century and six fifties so far.

Can Azam Translate Green Shirts’ Caribbean Form Against England?

Pakistan won their recent series against the West Indies, but have failed to make at least a similar appearance of dominance in this current campaign. Babar could be an ideal fit for the squad as a reliable No. 4 hitter who can carry his overseas form into this match.

Stuart Broad Speaks on Babar Azam’s Return for 2nd Test vs ENG

Veteran cricketer Stuart Broad believes Azam should make an appearance at the 2nd Test to salvage Pakistan’s red-ball tour:

“Babar has to. He nearly did, as you know. He got ruled out the day before and was declared out of the Test match. Then he walked down those stairs from the changing room, fully kitted up in his whites, with his jacket and Pakistan cap, at toss time,” Broad said. The retired cricketer also thinks Pakistan’s batting contingent look fragile without Azam at the helm:

“I’m sure he’ll come back in at Lord’s. They have to bring him back. They look very, very fragile as a batting group, and he’s their best player,” he concluded.

ENG Squad for 2026 Test vs PAK

Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Gus Atkinson, Jordan Cox, Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Matthew Fisher, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Sam Cook, Sonny Baker

PAK Squad for 2026 Test Tour of England

Babar Azam (Captain), Abdullah Fazal, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Awais Zafar, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Salman Agha, Saud Shakeel, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Rizwan, Ghazi Ghori, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Ubaid Shah, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Ali

ENG vs PAK 2026 Test Results and Schedule