ENG vs PAK 1st Test predicted playing XI: Likely Pakistan and England lineups as Babar Azam remains doubtful originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Joe Root leads England against Pakistan for the first time since 2022 in the post-Ben Stokes era. Jordan Cox is set to bat at number three with Jacob Bethell ruled out injured. Babar Azam remains doubtful for the match after a hand injury scare in the warm-up game.
ENG vs PAK 1st Test playing XI: England begin new era at Headingley England begin their three-match Test series against Pakistan on August 19 at Headingley, with valuable World Test Championship 2025-27 points on offer as Joe Root takes charge for the first time since relinquishing the captaincy in 2022. It marks the start of the post-Ben Stokes era for the hosts. England head into the series under considerable pressure, having lost seven of their past nine Tests and gone without a series win since December 2024. They sit seventh in the World Test Championship standings, one place above Pakistan. Marcus Trescothick takes interim charge of the side, with newly appointed head coach Stephen Fleming not due to take over until the winter tour of South Africa. Root has already made his mark off the field, abolishing England's midnight curfew in his first act as captain. Pakistan arrive in far better spirits after a comfortable seven-wicket win over a Professional County Club Select XI at Beckenham, where Saud Shakeel struck an unbeaten hundred and Imam-ul-Haq made 80. Babar Azam leads the tourists in his second stint as Test captain. MORE: Babar Azam injury: Availability and latest update on Pakistan captain Why Jordan Cox is set to bat at three for England The most notable selection call in the England camp surrounds the number three position, where Jordan Cox has been handed the responsibility. The opportunity arrives after Jacob Bethell was ruled out of the entire series with a right knee injury sustained during the ODI series against India. It represents a significant promotion for Cox, who only made his Test debut against New Zealand at the Kia Oval in June, batting down at number seven. National selector Marcus North described him as one of the most exciting talents in English cricket. Dan Lawrence also returns to the Test side for the first time in two years after an exceptional County Championship season with Surrey, and is carded to bat at number six with Jamie Smith slotting in at seven. Emilio Gay retains his opening spot alongside Ben Duckett despite making a pair in the warm-up fixture, with his shoulder concerns having eased. England's bowling combination remains the biggest question. Shoaib Bashir pushed his case with figures of 4 for 76 for the County Select XI, though the hosts could opt for four frontline seamers and rely on Lawrence and Root for spin. MORE: 'We pull him down': Azhar Mahmood slams treatment of Babar Azam & cites 'lack of respect England's predicted XI vs Pakistan for 1st Test at Headingley Root is expected to bat at four in an order reshaped by Stokes' retirement, with Harry Brook at five and Lawrence handed the all-round responsibilities at six. Ollie Pope, recalled to the 16-man squad, looks likely to miss out with Cox preferred at first drop. The pace attack picks itself on paper, with Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse offering genuine speed at a ground where the ball has historically moved. Carse returns after missing the 2-1 defeat to New Zealand with a right hand injury, while Bashir's warm-up haul should be enough to earn him the lone spinner's berth.
Ben Duckett Emilio Gay Jordan Cox Joe Root (C) Harry Brook Dan Lawrence Jamie Smith (WK) Gus Atkinson Brydon Carse Jofra Archer Shoaib Bashir
Pakistan's predicted XI vs England for 1st Test at Headingley Babar Azam is expected to lead the side after his hand injury scare proved minor. The captain retired hurt on five after being struck by Hampshire quick Manny Lumsden but was cleared to train at Headingley, with the PCB describing his withdrawal as precautionary. Mohammad Abbas, with more than 300 County Championship wickets to his name across spells at Leicestershire, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, offers Pakistan control and seam movement ideally suited to English conditions. Sajid Khan remains their leading spin option.
Imam-ul-Haq Abdullah Shafique Shan Masood Babar Azam* (C) Saud Shakeel Mohammad Rizwan (WK) Salman Ali Agha Aamir Jamal Sajid Khan Mohammad Abbas Mohammad Ali
*Doubtful MORE: Who will be the Pakistan captain if Babar Azam misses 1st Test against England at Leeds? Why Pakistan's new-ball quality makes this closer than England would like England may be at home, but the numbers make uncomfortable reading for Root's side. A team that has lost seven of its last nine Tests, is missing Bethell, and is handing a first-drop role to a player with one Test cap can hardly be considered overwhelming favourites, whatever the venue. Pakistan, by contrast, arrive with genuine reasons for optimism. Abbas and Mohammad Ali shared six wickets in the warm-up, Shakeel and Imam found form with the bat, and Babar returns to the captaincy having just led Pakistan to their first away Test win in eight matches in the Caribbean. If Headingley offers overhead conditions to assist seam movement, Pakistan's disciplined new-ball attack could make this a far tighter contest than England's home advantage suggests. For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.