ENG v PAK 1st Test Dream11 guide — Headingley, August 19, 2026
England and Pakistan meet in the first Test of their 2026 series at Headingley in Leeds, which will commence on August 19 (Wednesday) at 3:30 PM IST. Khel Now has published Dream11 predictions and a suggested playing XI for the match.
This is the first series for Joe Root, who was appointed as new captain after Ben Stokes’ retirement; Root will start his second stint as Test captain. England have made notable changes to their squad since the last Test series against New Zealand. Pakistan will be without Babar Azam, who has been ruled out due to an injury to his right hand sustained during the warm-up game, and Salman Ali Agha is set to lead the visitors. The absence of Babar is described in the preview as a body blow for Pakistan as they search for a long-awaited Test win on English soil.
The two teams have met 92 times in Test cricket: England have won 30 matches, Pakistan have won 23, and 39 games have been drawn.
The weather forecast for the coming days in Leeds shows overcast conditions with temperatures between 19 and 21°C and average humidity around 50-60 percent. Early visuals of the Headingley pitch show a green deck expected to assist fast bowlers with good pace and bounce, and the overhead conditions are also noted as helpful for seam bowling. The preview warns it will be tough batting last at this venue and suggests both sides might look to bat first.
England named Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (WK), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer and Shoaib Bashir. Pakistan’s squad listed Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Awais Zafar, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Ali Agha (c), Aamir Jamal, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali.
Khel Now’s suggested Fantasy XI includes batters Saud Shakeel, Harry Brook, Abdullah Shafique, Ben Duckett and Shan Masood; all-rounders Joe Root and Salman Ali Agha; and bowlers Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Mohammad Abbas, with Captain First-Choice: Joe Root || Captain Second-Choice: Shan Masood and Vice-Captain First-Choice: Jofra Archer || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Mohammad Abbas. An alternate Dream11 grouping lists wicket-keepers Jamie Smith and Mohammad Rizwan, batters Abdullah Shafique, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett and Shan Masood, all-rounders Joe Root and Salman Ali Agha and bowlers Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Mohammad Abbas, with Captain First-Choice: Ben Duckett || Captain Second-Choice: Jamie Smith and Vice-Captain First-Choice: Shan Masood || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Harry Brook.
Pakistan are described as going through a transition period and the conditions at Headingley are expected to be tough for their batters. The preview states Babar’s exclusion will impact Pakistan’s chances of a win, adds that England are pretty good in their own conditions, and concludes by backing England to win the first Test.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram. Karan Rawat is a seasoned cricket writer with a deep passion for the game and over 5 years of experience covering everything that the game can offer.
The 1st Test of the Pakistan tour of England 2026 takes place on August 19-23 at Headingley in Leeds.