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The Pakistan National Cricket Team has received good news before their three-match Test series against the England National Cricket Team. Experienced batter Shan Masood has returned to training after recovering from a finger injury. Shan Masood’s return is a big boost for Pakistan, as they prepare for the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, from August 19.
Masood suffered the finger injury during the first Test of Pakistan’s recent series against the West Indies in the Caribbean. Because of the injury, he missed the second and final Test. Pakistan won that match by eight wickets to end their three-year wait for an overseas Test victory. Amid this, Babar Azam gets major advice from Rashid Latif ahead of the England Tour.
Shan Masood returns to training after finger injury
Now, Shan Masood looks close to making his return to action for the Pakistan National Cricket Team. The left-handed batter trained with the Pakistan squad at Kent County Cricket Club in Beckenham on Tuesday, August 11.
He took part in batting practice under the supervision of the team’s medical staff. This is a positive sign ahead of the crucial ICC World Test Championship (WTC) series in England.
Pakistan will be hoping that Masood is fit enough to return to the playing XI for the first Test on August 19. His experience at the top of the batting order could be important against England.
They are currently eighth in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 points table. They will now look to continue the improvement they showed in the recent West Indies Test series and start the new WTC campaign strongly in England.
Beckenham warm-up match to help Pakistan prepare for Headingley Test
The team will also have a three-day warm-up match before the Headingley Test. Pakistan will face a professional county club select XI in Beckenham. The practice match was initially planned as a four-day game starting on August 12.
However, it has now been changed to a three-day match and will now begin on August 13 in Beckenham. The warm-up game could be useful for Masood as well. After missing the second West Indies Test, he will need some time with the bat before playing a full Test match in England.
Pakistan have confirmed that the rest of the squad took part in batting and bowling practice in Beckenham. Shan Masood also joined the session and completed batting work while being closely monitored by the medical team.
His progress will now be watched carefully before the team decides on the final playing XI for the three-match Test series opener against England at Headingley. Amid this, Watch: Saim Ayub's embarrassing run-out screams Pakistan cricket.
Pakistan Test squad and England series details
Babar Azam will lead Pakistan's 17-member squad for the three-Test series against England, returning as the team's Test captain. The batting department includes Babar, Abdullah Fazal, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Muhammad Awais Zafar, while Mohammad Rizwan and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori provide wicketkeeping options. Saud Shakeel has been included subject to fitness.
Aamer Jamal and Salman Ali Agha add all-round options to the squad. The bowling attack features Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Sajid Khan and Ubaid Shah.
The three-Test series will begin at Headingley from August 19 to 23, before the teams travel to Lord's for the second Test from August 27 to 31. The final Test will be played at Edgbaston from September 9 to 13.
