Babar Azam Given Precautionary Rest Following Hand Injury Scare in Warm-Up Match Ahead of PAK vs ENG Test Series 2026
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has been placed on precautionary rest after suffering a hand injury during a warm-up match in Kent, just days before the highly anticipated Test series against England. The star batter is expected to rejoin training on August 17, ahead of the first Test starting August 19 at Headingley.
Pakistan's Test captain, Babar Azam, has been placed on precautionary rest after an injury scare to his right hand during the team's three-day warm-up fixture against a Professional County Club Select XI in Kent. The incident, which occurred on Friday, August 14, 2026, saw the influential batter retire hurt after being struck by a delivery, raising immediate concerns just days ahead of the crucial three-match Test series against England. Babar Azam Suffers Injury Scare During Warm-up Match Ahead of England Test Series (Watch Video).
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the decision to withdraw Azam from the remainder of the practice match was purely a precautionary measure. According to a PCB statement, the 32-year-old, who was born on October 15, 1994, is expected to participate in Pakistan's training session at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds on Monday, August 17, 2026, two days before the opening Test.
The Incident
Babar Azam was batting on five runs from 17 balls on the second day of the warm-up match when a rising delivery from pacer Manny Lumsden struck him on the right hand. He visibly appeared in discomfort and was attended to by medical staff before leaving the field. This marks the second time in a month that Azam has been hit on the hand, following a similar occurrence during Pakistan's recent Test series against the West Indies.
Crucial Series Ahead
Pakistan's tour of England is a significant fixture in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, which commenced on June 17, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude on June 13, 2027. The three-match series will see Pakistan, led by Azam, take on an England side under the renewed captaincy of Joe Root, who has returned to the helm following Ben Stokes' retirement from the longest format on June 28, 2026. Pakistan vs England Test Series 2026: Full Schedule, Venues, Match Timings, and Where to Watch.
Series Schedule
| Match | Dates | Venue | Start Time (BST) | Start Time (PKT) | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Aug 19 – Aug 23 | Headingley, Leeds | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM | 3:30 PM |
| 2nd Test | Aug 27 – Aug 31 | Lord's, London | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM | 3:30 PM |
| 3rd Test | Sep 9 – Sep 13 | Edgbaston, Birmingham | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM | 3:30 PM |
Recent Form and Head-to-Head
Pakistan will be aiming to build on the momentum from their impressive victories over England during the 2024 home series, where they claimed two wins. However, England has won three of the last five Test meetings between the sides, indicating a closely contested rivalry.
Babar Azam's quick recovery is vital for Pakistan's hopes as they embark on a challenging Test series in England. His return to training on Monday will be a reassuring sign for the touring side, who rely heavily on his leadership and batting prowess.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2026 10:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
