England will take on Pakistan in the first Test of their three-match series at Headingley in Leeds, starting on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. The match is part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Joe Root returned to full-time Test captaincy, and Marcus Trescothick will serve as the interim head coach for the series. England will look to recover from their 1-2 series against New Zealand.
Pakistan will arrive in Leeds with confidence after completing their preparations with a seven-wicket win over a County Select XI in Beckenham. They also drew their previous Test series 1-1 against West Indies and will now look to adapt quickly to England’s swing-friendly conditions.
In the 2025–2027 World Test Championship standings, England and Pakistan are currently seventh and eighth, respectively. With only the top two teams reaching the 2027 final, both sides need strong results in this series to keep their qualification hopes alive.
ENG vs PAK Match Preview & Recent Form
England will head into the Pakistan series after a disappointing 2-1 home series defeat against New Zealand. They started strongly with a win at Lord’s, but New Zealand levelled the series at The Oval before securing a 160-run victory at Trent Bridge.
Ben Stokes has retired from international cricket, while Joe Root has returned to the captaincy. England will now look to rebuild quickly after losing seven of their last nine Tests and aim to make better use of their home conditions.
Pakistan will enter the series with some confidence after their recent preparations. Saud Shakeel’s century in the warm-up victory over a County Select XI will boost their confidence. Mohammad Abbas brings experience in English conditions.
England and Pakistan have produced several memorable Test contests in recent years. Pakistan won the 2024 home series 2-1, while England completed a 3-0 sweep in Pakistan in 2022.
ENG vs PAK Live Streaming, Live Telecast: Where To Watch 1st Test?
Cricket fans in India can watch the live streaming of the England vs Pakistan first Test on the FanCode app and website. There will be no official live television broadcast available for viewers in India for the Headingley Test.
In Pakistan, fans can watch the match live on PTV Sports, Ten Sports and A-Sports. Digital streaming will be available on the Tapmad app and website. UK viewers can watch the match on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available on Sky Go and NOW.
ENG vs PAK Pitch Report: How Will Headingley Play?
Headingley usually offers plenty of help to seam and swing bowlers, especially during the opening session. Cloud cover and moisture can give the new ball extra movement, while the surface also offers enough bounce for fast bowlers to trouble batters.
The pitch usually becomes better for batting once the ball gets older. Batters who spend time at the crease can score freely on the surface, while variable bounce and reverse swing could become factors later in the match. Spinners may also find some assistance from the footmarks as the Test progresses.
Headingley Test Stats
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Matches Played: 85
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Won Batting First: 29
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Won Bowling First: 37
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Average 1st Innings Score: 300
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Average 2nd Innings Score: 293
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Average 3rd Innings Score: 241
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Average 4th Innings Score: 169
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Highest Team Total: 653/4 (Australia vs England)
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Lowest Team Total: 61 (West Indies vs England)
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Highest Successful Chase: 404/3 (Australia vs England)
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Lowest Total Defended: 75 (South Africa vs England)
ENG vs PAK Weather Forecast & Rain Threat at Headingley
The weather in Leeds is expected to change throughout the five-day Test. On Wednesday, August 19, partly sunny conditions are forecast, with a high of 19°C and a 25% chance of rain. Winds could reach around 17 km/h, which may help the seamers early in the day.
Rain could become a bigger concern on Days 2 and 3. Thursday has a 93% chance of precipitation, with around four hours of rain possible and temperatures reaching 18°C. Friday could also see afternoon showers, with an 80% rain chance and a high of around 17°C.
Conditions should improve over the weekend. Saturday is expected to bring intervals of sunshine with a 5% chance of rain and a high of 19°C. Sunday could see shifting clouds and sunny spells, with temperatures around 19°C and only an 8% chance of rain.
ENG vs PAK Team News & Injury Updates
Stephen Fleming has been appointed as the permanent head coach but will take charge only later in the year. England have also recalled Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence, while Brydon Carse returns to the squad after recovering from injury.
Jacob Bethell is unavailable after suffering a knee injury, and Jordan Cox might bat at No. 3. Emilio Gay remains in contention to open alongside Ben Duckett.
Shan Masood, who missed the second Test against West Indies, recently returned to training. Babar had a minor hand injury scare during the warm-up, but he was expected to resume training ahead of the Headingley Test.
ENG vs PAK Predicted Playing 11 Today
England: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Ollie Pope, Joe Root (c), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (wk), Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas
ENG vs PAK Key Player Battles to Watch
Joe Root vs Mohammad Abbas:
Joe Root will be crucial for England at Headingley, while Mohammad Abbas will look to trouble him with accuracy and movement. The Pakistan seamer will target a tight line outside off and test Root early.
Babar Azam vs Jofra Archer:
Babar Azam faces a major challenge against Jofra Archer’s pace and bounce. Archer will look to attack with short balls and deliveries outside off, while Babar will rely on his timing and technique.
Saud Shakeel vs Gus Atkinson:
Saud Shakeel will enter the Test with confidence after his unbeaten century in the warm-up. Gus Atkinson will test him with pace and hard lengths around off stump.
Key Players to Watch
England: Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jofra Archer
Pakistan: Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Abbas
Also read: Joe Root named World No. 1 Test batter by India legend, Shubman Gill at this spot
