Babar Azam’s Lord’s Test return is set to strengthen Pakistan’s batting lineup as the side looks to respond to a heavy defeat in the opening match of its series against England. The Pakistan captain confirmed on Wednesday that he would be available for the second Test at Lord’s, starting Thursday, despite not having fully recovered from a finger injury that kept him out of the first match at Headingley.
Speaking at a news conference ahead of the match, Babar said he was “90 percent” fit and prepared to take his place in the side. “Yes, 90 percent I’m fit for tomorrow’s match,” he told reporters in London. His comments confirmed weeks of speculation over his fitness following an injury first sustained during Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies and later aggravated in a practice match at Beckenham.
Pakistan vs England Test Series Resumes After Headingley Setback
The Pakistan vs England Test series began poorly for the visitors, who suffered defeat by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley last week. England dismissed Pakistan twice inside fewer than 86 overs, a result that exposed clear weaknesses in the tourists’ top order and left the team facing an early setback in the three-match series. Babar’s absence for that fixture, owing to his finger injury, was widely regarded as a significant blow to Pakistan’s batting depth.
With the second Test now underway at Lord’s, often referred to as the home of cricket, Pakistan will be looking to level the series and avoid falling further behind. England, by contrast, arrive at the ground with considerable confidence after a dominant display with both bat and ball in Leeds.
Babar Azam’s Finger Injury and Road to Recovery
Babar Azam’s finger injury first emerged during Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies, where he was nonetheless the side’s leading run scorer. He aggravated the same injury during a practice match at Beckenham after returning to England for the Test series, which forced him to sit out the Headingley fixture entirely.
In the days leading up to the Lord’s Test, Babar took part in extended batting sessions at the ground, facing fast bowlers, spinners and throwdowns as he worked his way back to full fitness. Pakistan’s team management described his sessions as encouraging, with the captain reported to be moving freely and batting with confidence despite the lingering effects of the injury.
What Babar Azam’s Return Means for the Pakistan Cricket Team
Babar Azam’s record in England makes his return especially significant for the Pakistan cricket team. He averages 65.75 in matches played on English soil and 53.83 across 14 innings against England specifically, figures that highlight his consistency against the current opposition. His inclusion is expected to bring greater stability to a batting order that struggled badly in the first Test.
Reflecting on the defeat at Headingley, Babar acknowledged that Pakistan had fallen short of the standard set by England. “We’re not playing up to the mark, the way the England team is playing,” he said, referring to his side’s performance with both bat and ball. He added that the squad had since reviewed its mistakes as a group. “We just forget those things and look forward to tomorrow’s match,” he said, striking a note of determination ahead of the contest at Lord’s.
Looking Ahead to the Second Test
The second Test at Lord’s runs from Thursday, with the third and final match of the series scheduled for Edgbaston in September. Pakistan will need a win to force a decider, while England can extend their series lead with another strong performance. Babar Azam’s return, even at less than full fitness, gives Pakistan renewed hope of a fightback as the series moves to one of the sport’s most storied venues.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 27th, 2026
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
