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The Pakistan National Cricket Team has received a big relief ahead of their three-match Test series opener against the England National Cricket Team, as captain Babar Azam appears to be fit and ready to play in Leeds.
Babar had given Pakistan fans a scare during the warm-up match against a professional county club select XI at Beckenham in Kent. The newly appointed Test captain was hit on his right hand by a rising delivery from young Hampshire pacer Manny Lumsden. Earlier, 'Shaheen Afridi has a lot left': Azhar Mahmood opens up on Pakistan pacers’ declining pace.
Big relief for Pakistan as Babar Azam shakes off injury scare ahead of England Tests
The blow immediately caused concern. Babar dropped his bat and looked in pain before walking off the field after scoring only five runs. With the Test series against England coming up, the right-handed batter was rested for the rest of the game and some practice sessions.
However, the latest update has brought good news for Pakistan. Babar Azam is looking comfortable again and has been seen taking part in training with the Pakistan team in Leeds.
The Pakistan captain was also involved in wicketkeeping practice with Mohammad Rizwan in Leeds ahead of the first Test against England, starting on August 19, easing concerns around his hand injury. Amid this, Azhar Mahmood reveals Babar Azam’s treatment in Pakistan.
Babar Azam looks fit!
— Abu Bakar Tarar (@abubakartarar_) August 17, 2026
He is also helping Mohammad Rizwan with wicketkeeping training in Leeds ahead of the first Test. pic.twitter.com/4nsPYxHqZG
Babar Azam ready to lead Pakistan against England as he faces huge captaincy Test
Actually, Babar Azam had injured the same middle finger during Pakistan’s recent Test against the West Indies in Trinidad. Pakistan won that match by eight wickets, which was their first overseas Test victory in three years. The win was especially important because it ended a poor run of eight straight defeats away from home in the traditional format of the game.
But now the Pakistan captain has been cleared by the medical team and returned to full training at Headingley in Leeds. Babar is now fully fit and available to lead Pakistan in the three-match Test series against England.
This will be his first major Test assignment in England since he was reappointed as Pakistan’s Test captain on July 5. Pakistan recently drew their series 1-1 in the West Indies. Now, Babar faces a much tougher challenge in England. With swinging conditions expected, the upcoming WTC series will be a big test of Babar’s captaincy, decision-making, and ability to handle pressure.
Pakistan’s WTC struggles continue
Well, Pakistan has plenty of work to do in the ICC World Test Championship (WCT) 2025-27. They are currently eighth in the table, one place below England, and have won only one of their last eight Test series in late 2024. The team is also dealing with plenty of talk away from the field.
Shaheen Afridi recently had to deny reports that Babar could soon take back the Pakistan ODI captaincy. There are also questions around Salman Ali Agha’s position as T20I captain. Captaincy changes have become common in Pakistan cricket. When Agha was made T20I captain last year, he became Pakistan’s fourth T20 captain in just 14 months.
