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Pakistan vs England Live: Both teams need a change in fortunes
The Headingley Test brings together two teams looking to move beyond difficult recent periods. England are seventh in the World Test Championship standings, while Pakistan are eighth, underlining the need for both sides to improve. England's last multi-Test series win came against New Zealand in November-December 2024. Since then, they have drawn 2-2 with India at home, lost the Ashes 4-1 in Australia and then suffered a 2-1 home series defeat to New Zealand. Pakistan's recent record has also been poor. Shan Masood's side lost 12 of 16 Tests. Now both sides begin another chapter. England have Root back as captain and are waiting for Fleming to take over as coach, while Pakistan have Babar back as captain but must begin without him because of injury.
ENG vs PAK Live: Pakistan also trying to turn the page
England are not the only side entering a period of change at Headingley. Pakistan have also made a leadership switch, with Babar Azam returning as Test captain after Shan Masood's stint ended with 12 defeats in 16 Tests. Masood's team suffered series whitewashes in Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh before finally ending an eight-match winless run in away Tests by beating West Indies in the second Test of their recent series. Babar, however, will miss the first Test because of a right-hand injury suffered in the warm-up match against Professional County Club Select XI. He retired hurt after scoring five and sat out the rest of the game as a "precautionary measure". Coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed that Salman Agha will captain Pakistan at Leeds. The visitors also have several new faces in the team and will look to take advantage of any uncertainty in an England side adjusting to life after Stokes and McCullum.
England vs Pakistan, 1st Test Live: Babar unavailable for first Test
Pakistan will begin the first Test without their newly appointed Test captain Babar Azam after he failed to recover from a right-hand injury. Babar had returned as Test captain after Shan Masood's tenure ended with 12 defeats in 16 Tests. However, his comeback as captain has been delayed by the injury he suffered during Pakistan's three-day warm-up match against Professional County Club Select XI. Babar retired hurt after scoring five in the first innings and did not take part in the rest of the game as a "precautionary measure". He has not recovered in time for the first Test, meaning Salman Agha will lead Pakistan at Leeds. The change adds to the uncertainty around a Pakistan side that has already gone through a difficult period.
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ENG vs PAK Live: Root returns to captain England again
Joe Root will lead England again as he begins his second stint as full-time Test captain. Root stepped down from the role three years ago, but now returns at a time when England are moving into a new phase following the retirement of Ben Stokes and the departure of Brendon McCullum. Marcus Trescothick is currently in interim charge until Stephen Fleming takes over as head coach later this year.
Root's return to captaincy will be closely watched, but England's bigger concern will be their recent results. They have not won a multi-Test series since beating New Zealand in November-December 2024. They drew 2-2 against India last summer, suffered a 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia and then lost 2-1 to New Zealand at home earlier this year. Root will now have to lead a side looking to move beyond that run while also providing stability to an England batting line-up that includes Harry Brook and Ben Duckett.
England vs Pakistan, 1st Test Live Updates: England begin life after Stokes and McCullum
England's Test summer enters a new phase at Headingley as they begin life after Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Stokes' retirement has brought an end to the period in which England changed the way they approached Test cricket, while McCullum's departure has also left the team waiting for a new coaching regime.
Joe Root returns as full-time captain, three years after stepping down from the role. Marcus Trescothick will take interim charge until Stephen Fleming takes over as head coach later this year. Despite all the changes around the team, England have a straightforward requirement: they need a series win. Their last multi-Test series victory came against New Zealand in November-December 2024. Since then, England drew 2-2 with India at home, lost the Ashes 4-1 in Australia and then went down 2-1 to New Zealand at home. The Pakistan series therefore begins with England trying to turn the page.
England's Test summer enters a new phase at Headingley as they begin life after Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Stokes' retirement has brought an end to the period in which England changed the way they approached Test cricket, while McCullum's departure has also left the team waiting for a new coaching regime. Joe Root returns as full-time captain, three years after stepping down from the role. Marcus Trescothick will take interim charge until Stephen Fleming takes over as head coach later this year. Despite all the changes around the team, England have a straightforward requirement: they need a series win. Their last multi-Test series victory came against New Zealand in November-December 2024. Since then, England drew 2-2 with India at home, lost the Ashes 4-1 in Australia and then went down 2-1 to New Zealand at home. The Pakistan series therefore begins with England trying to turn the page.
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