Babar Azam Says ‘I’m 90% Fit’ Ahead of Pakistan vs England 2nd Test at Lord's
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has received full fitness clearance and is confirmed to lead his side in the second Test against England at Lord's from August 27-31, 2026.
London is abuzz as Pakistan's premier batsman and captain, Babar Azam, has been officially cleared to return to action, setting the stage for his comeback in the pivotal second Test against England. The match, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, is scheduled to commence tomorrow, August 27, 2026, at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. London Weather Forecast and Rain Chances for Pakistan vs England 2nd Test 2026 at Lord's.
Babar Azam on His Availability for PAK vs ENG 2nd Test at Lord’s
Azam, 31, who was sidelined from the first Test at Headingley due to a finger injury, completed a full batting session during Pakistan's training, showing no signs of discomfort. Pakistan's bowling coach Umar Gul confirmed the positive development, stating, “Babar batted in the nets, faced fast bowlers, spinners and throwdowns. We're hopeful he will be available for the game and today he was looking good; he batted well in the nets. He had a full batting session.” His return is a significant boost for the visiting side, which suffered a comprehensive innings and 103-run loss in the series opener under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha.
Head-to-Head & Series Context
Historically, England and Pakistan have contested 92 Tests, with England holding the upper hand with 30 victories to Pakistan's 23, and 39 matches ending in draws. The last Test series between the two nations in October 2024 saw Pakistan emerge victorious with a 2-1 home series win. The current series is a fresh battle for World Test Championship points, with England currently seventh and Pakistan eighth in the standings. Babar Azam Returns to ICC Test Top 10 Batter Rankings, Shan Masood Resumes Training For ENG vs PAK Test Series 2026.
Babar Azam's return is expected to provide much-needed stability and firepower to Pakistan's batting lineup. His leadership and form will be crucial as Pakistan seeks to level the series and keep their World Test Championship hopes alive on English soil.
The second Test marks a critical juncture for Pakistan to claw back into the three-match series. England, led by Joe Root in his second stint as Test captain, will be looking to consolidate their 1-0 lead. The five-day encounter at Lord's will run from August 27 to August 31, with play starting daily at 11:00 AM BST (10:00 AM GMT).
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2026 06:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).