Babar Azam Trains at Lord’s Indoor Nets Ahead of Second Test Against England

Pakistan’s regular Test captain Babar Azam has resumed batting practice at Lord’s Cricket Ground ahead of the second Test against England. Babar was seen batting with full intensity inside the venue’s indoor net facility on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, signaling his potential return to lead the national side following an injury-enforced absence.

What Happened

Babar Azam sat out Pakistan’s series opener against England at Headingley, which commenced on August 19, 2026. His absence was caused by an injury sustained to the middle finger of his right hand. The initial blow occurred while batting against the West Indies in August 2026, followed by a secondary impact to the exact same finger during a tour warm-up match in Beckenham.

In Babar’s absence, Salman Ali Agha assumed captaincy duties for the first time in his Test career. The opening match ended in a heavy defeat for Pakistan, who lost by an innings and 103 runs against the Joe Root-led English side. Pakistan conceded a first-innings deficit of 238 runs before being dismissed for 118 runs in their second innings.

Ahead of the first match, Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed had stated that Babar was on course to recuperate in time for the second encounter. This timeline was subsequently reinforced by stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha, who confirmed during his post-match press conference that Babar would return to the playing XI and resume the captaincy for the match at Lord’s.

Key Highlights

• Net Session at Lord’s: Babar Azam was observed batting at full intensity inside the indoor net facility on August 25, 2026.
• Nature of Injury: The right-handed batter sustained blows to the middle finger of his right hand against the West Indies and in a warm-up fixture at Beckenham.
• First Test Outcome: Under stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan lost the Headingley Test by an innings and 103 runs, falling 1-0 behind in the three-match series.
• English Record: Babar holds a batting average of 65.75 across four Test matches played in England.
• Leadership Transition: Babar took over Pakistan’s Test captaincy from Shan Masood at the start of the 2026 series against the West Indies.
• Potential Lineup Changes: Reports suggest opener Azan Awais may be omitted following scores of 0 and 9 at Headingley, while separate reports mention wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan could potentially be rested.

Why This Matters

The return of Babar Azam directly impacts both Pakistan’s leadership structure and the stability of their top-order batting. Babar carries an established record in English conditions, having registered an average of 65.75 in four previous Tests played on English soil. His absence in the opening Test coincided with Pakistan’s batting lineup folding for 118 runs in the final innings of an innings-and-103-run loss.

From a leadership perspective, Babar’s presence restores the designated captaincy established when he succeeded Shan Masood at the start of the West Indies series earlier in August 2026. Salman Ali Agha indicated he is ready to hand back the leadership role immediately upon Babar’s return, restoring Pakistan’s preferred tactical setup as they attempt to level the three-match series.

What to Watch Next

The second Test match between England and Pakistan takes place at Lord’s from August 27 to August 31, 2026. With England leading the series 1-0, Pakistan must avoid defeat to keep the three-match contest alive.

Attention will also turn to the final team selection. While no official squad announcement has been made, reports indicate opening batter Azan Awais could lose his place in the side to accommodate Babar’s inclusion. Observers will also track whether reports regarding a potential rest for wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan are confirmed when the final XI is named at the toss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Babar Azam miss the first Test at Headingley?

Babar Azam was ruled out of the series opener due to an injury to the middle finger of his right hand, which occurred against the West Indies in August 2026 and was aggravated in a warm-up match at Beckenham.

Who captained Pakistan in Babar Azam’s absence?

Salman Ali Agha captained Pakistan during the first Test at Headingley, representing his first time leading the national side in Test cricket.

What is the current scoreline of the England vs Pakistan Test series?

England leads the three-match series 1-0 after securing victory by an innings and 103 runs in the opening Test at Headingley.

When and where will the second Test be played?

The second Test match is scheduled to be played at Lord’s Cricket Ground from August 27 to August 31, 2026.

Source: Based on reporting originally published by CricTracker.