Will Babar Azam Play in Pakistan vs England 2nd Test at Lord's?

The iconic Lord's Cricket Ground is set to host the second Test between England and Pakistan starting Thursday, August 27, 2026, but the spotlight is firmly on the fitness of Pakistan's talismanic captain, Babar Azam. Having already missed the opening Test at Headingley, Azam's participation in the crucial London encounter hangs in the balance due to a lingering hand injury.Babar Azam Given Precautionary Rest Following Hand Injury Scare in Warm-Up Match Ahead of PAK vs ENG Test Series 2026.

Babar Azam in Indoor Practice Ahead of Pakistan vs England 2nd Test

Sources close to the Pakistan camp suggest that Babar Azam has not participated in training for the past four days, with the swelling on his injured finger reportedly persisting. The 31-year-old was forced to retire hurt during a warm-up fixture against a Professional County Club Select XI earlier this month after being struck on his right hand by England Under-19 pacer Manny Lumsden. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initially termed his withdrawal a precautionary measure, the prolonged recovery has put his availability for the 'Home of Cricket' Test in serious doubt.

The Road to Lord's

Pakistan head into the second Test under immense pressure, having suffered a crushing innings and 103-run defeat to England in the first Test at Headingley. The absence of their primary run-scorer and leader, Babar Azam, was keenly felt, with Salman Ali Agha stepping in as stand-in captain. For England, led by Joe Root, the series marks a fresh start under new red-ball coach Stephen Fleming, and they will be keen to press their advantage.

The three-match Test series is a vital part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle. Pakistan will be eager to bounce back and level the series, but they face a formidable challenge against an in-form English side on home turf. Historically, England holds the upper hand in Tests against Pakistan.

Babar Azam boasts an impressive Test record against England, having scored 646 runs in 8 Tests (14 innings) at an average of 53.83, including one century and six half-centuries. In England specifically, his average rises to 65.75 from 4 matches (6 innings), with three fifties.Babar Azam Returns to ICC Test Top 10 Batter Rankings, Shan Masood Resumes Training For ENG vs PAK Test Series 2026.

Pakistan's team management is expected to issue a final update on Babar Azam's condition closer to the match start. His presence would undoubtedly be a massive boost for the touring side as they seek to ignite their World Test Championship campaign at Lord's. The cricketing world awaits the decision with bated breath, understanding the profound impact his inclusion or exclusion could have on the outcome of this crucial Test.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2026 07:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).