Babar Azam expected to return for Pakistan in second Test at Lord’s starting 27 August

Babar Azam is expected to play in Pakistan’s second Test against England at Lord’s, which begins on 27 August, after reports on 26 August said he had recovered from a finger injury; he missed the opening Test at Headingley. The update arrives as Pakistan prepare to attempt a series recovery following their heavy defeat in the first match.

Pakistan’s Test campaign in England suffered a heavy setback at Headingley, leaving the visitors under pressure ahead of the Lord’s Test; the team’s need for experienced players has increased following that result. In July 2026, Azam was reappointed Pakistan’s Test captain, replacing Shan Masood, and fan interest had risen with his return to the role, making his absence from the series opener a notable development. Azam had sustained a finger injury before the England series and then hurt his right hand during a practice game, which ruled him out of the 1st Test.

Reports on 26 August indicated Azam had recovered sufficiently to feature at Lord’s, where he was seen batting and completing a full net session facing fast bowlers, spinners and throwdowns. Pakistan’s bowling coach Umar Gul confirmed the captain "looked fitter and was hopeful he would be available for the second Test." The Pakistan camp framed the activity as evidence of his readiness for selection.

Salman Ali Agha captained Pakistan in Azam’s absence for the Headingley match; under his leadership Pakistan were comprehensively beaten by a massive margin of 103 runs and an innings. That result increased the significance of any reinforcements available to the batting order for the coming fixture at Lord’s.

Azam was Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in their preceding two-Test series against the West Indies, accumulating 193 runs including two half-centuries. In England he averages 65.75 across six Test innings and, against this opposition, has recorded a century and six half-centuries; he has never scored a Test century on English soil and has three half-centuries there. His most recent Test hundred came on December 26, 2022, when he made an unbeaten 161 against New Zealand in Karachi.

With Azam likely to be available for the Lord’s Test beginning on 27 August, Pakistan will have the chance to field their reinstated captain as they seek to level the series in the second match.