England Squad for ENG vs PAK 2026 First Two Tests Announced: Joe Root To Lead; Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse and Sam Cook Recalled
England has unveiled its 16-player squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan, with Joe Root returning as captain. Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse, and Sam Cook are recalled for the match at Headingley, Leeds, from August 19-23, 2026, marking a new chapter in England's ICC World Test Championship campaign. The series promises exciting cricket action.
England has announced a 16-player squad for the highly anticipated first two Tests against Pakistan, marking the beginning of Joe Root's second full-time captaincy stint since Ben Stokes' retirement from Test captaincy last month. The squad sees the return of key players Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse, and Sam Cook, as England looks to make a strong start to the three-match series, which forms part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship. Stephen Fleming Named England New Test Coach, Joe Root Appointed Captain.
ECB Name England Squad For ENG vs PAK 1st and 2ndTest 2026
Test Match Cricket is back!
Click below to find out who has made the squad 👇
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 6, 2026
The first Test is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Headingley, Leeds, with play starting at 11:00 AM local time (UK). Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim Head Coach for this series, before Stephen Fleming takes over the permanent role later in the year.
Squad Overview and Key Recalls
The selection committee, led by National Selector Marcus North, has opted for a blend of experienced players and emerging talents. Dan Lawrence, a 29-year-old all-rounder from Essex, returns to the Test setup after an impressive County Championship season. His ability to bat at number six and offer off-spin provides valuable flexibility.
Ollie Pope, also 28 and representing Surrey, is recalled to bolster the middle order. Durham's fast bowler Brydon Carse, aged 31, and Essex seamer Sam Cook, 29, also earn their places back in the Test squad, bringing pace and precision to the bowling attack. Pakistan Squad for West Indies and England Tours Announced: Babar Azam Reinstated As Test Captain; Shaheen Shah Afridi Dropped.
The full 16-player squad is as follows:
Joe Root (Yorkshire – Captain)
Jofra Archer (Sussex)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Brydon Carse (Durham)
Sam Cook (Essex)
Jordan Cox (Essex)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Matthew Fisher (Surrey)
Emilio Gay (Durham)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Jamie Smith (Surrey)
Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)
Jordan Cox, who made his Test debut earlier this summer against New Zealand, is set to bat at number three in the absence of the injured Jacob Bethell.
Match Schedule and Venue Details
The three-match Test series is a marquee event in the summer's international cricket calendar:
| Match | Date | Venue | Local Start Time (UK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | August 19-23, 2026 | Headingley, Leeds | 11:00 AM |
| 2nd Test | August 27-31, 2026 | Lord's, London | 11:00 AM |
| 3rd Test | September 9-13, 2026 | Edgbaston, Birmingham | 11:00 AM |
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, England and Pakistan have shared a compelling rivalry in Test cricket. In the 92 Test matches played between the two nations, England has won 30, Pakistan 23, and 39 matches have ended in a draw.
The England squad will be keen to start Root's renewed captaincy era with a victory on home soil against a challenging Pakistan side, setting the tone for the remainder of the World Test Championship cycle.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2026 02:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
