Pakistan’s Babar Azam ruled out of first Test against England; Salman Agha to captain
LAHORE, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 18th Aug, 2026) Headingley:
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first test match against England in Headingley on August 19 (Wednesday), while Salman Ali Agha will be the stand-in captain.
Azam couldn’t recover from an injury to his right hand sustained during a warm-up game in Beckenham. It’s the same hand he was hit on during the second test match against West Indies earlier this month.
Pakistan Head Coach Sarfraz Ahmed stated in a pre-match press conference at Headingley:
"For now, our medical team has informed that Babar Azam is experiencing some pain. So hopefully, God willing, he will be available by the second test. We still have seven or eight days to work on Babar’s recovery."
He further clarified that while Azam wasn’t nursing a broken finger, there was swelling on his digit, and he expressed hope for his return in the second Test match.
Regarding Shan Masood‘s fitness, Sarfraz assured the media that the top order had fully recovered and was available for the match.
On Pakistan’s strategy for the Headingley match, Sarfraz noted:
"Winning the warm-up match has given us confidence and self-belief to do well on English soil. We covered all areas in the Kent match." He added that his team believed they would perform well during this tour.
Regarding Muhammad Abbas, Sarfraz was clear:
"Definitely, Abbas has experience here, and considering the conditions he’s played in league cricket here, he will be one of our key bowlers on this tour."
Addressing Pakistan’s recent decline as a test team, Sarfraz acknowledged their struggles but highlighted the hard work put in by the squad. He mentioned that while Babar was in excellent form, they would try to find suitable replacements for him and build a strong combination to compensate for his absence.
Sarfraz concluded by saying that while Babar’s presence would have made a different team for the first test, they would reassess and select a side suited to the pitch conditions, expressing confidence in their ability to perform well against England.
