ENG vs PAK 2026: First Test match preview

England lock horns with Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, starting on Wednesday, August 19. This is going to be a crucial three-match series, as they look to redeem themselves in the longest format.

The Three Lions are welcoming back Joe Root as their red-ball captain after Ben Stokes' retirement. The legendary batter will have his task cut out, as England look to bounce back strongly from the 2-1 series defeat they suffered at home against New Zealand in June.

Ollie Pope and Brydon Carse have been recalled to the squad for the first time since the Ashes drubbing. On the other hand, Jacob Bethell will miss the series due to a knee injury. Jordan Cox, the wicketkeeper-batter, will replace him at No. 3. Daniel Lawrence has also been recalled after a couple of years' absence.

On the other hand, Pakistan have suffered a massive blow as they will be missing the services of captain Babar Azam. The talismanic batter has been ruled out of the first Test with a handy injury sustained during Pakistan's solitary warm-up game against Professional County Club Select XI in Beckenham last week.

Salman Ali Agha will lead the side in his absence. Pakistan are coming into this series on the back of a 1-1 draw against the West Indies in Trinidad earlier this month. The Asian giants won the three-day warm-up game by seven wickets last week and will take confidence from that performance.

The first couple of days are expected to go in favour of the bowlers, with plenty of seam and swing on offer. However, as the game progresses, the pitch could flatten out considerably, making the job for the batters much easier. The captain who wins the toss should bowl first.

Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (WK), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.

Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Ali Agha (C), Aamir Jamal, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali.