Pakistan Lord’s Test: The Selection Reset Explained
England beat Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs in Leeds. That defeat has forced Pakistan’s team management to rethink the playing XI for the Lord’s Test.
Three changes are under review. Babar Azam could return. Mohammad Rizwan could be rested. Pakistan could also field two specialist spinners for the first time in this series.
Babar Azam’s Return Is the Biggest Question
Babar is the central figure in Pakistan’s Lord’s planning. He missed the Headingley Test after being hit on the right hand during a practice match at Kent County Cricket Club.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the injury on August 14 and advised him to rest. Salman Ali Agha led the side at Headingley as Pakistan’s 36th Test captain in Babar’s absence.
Reports now describe the injury as a finger issue, and the team is hopeful he can return at Lord’s. Nothing has been confirmed officially. If he is passed fit, Babar is expected to resume the Test captaincy he was handed back in July.
Azan Awais is reportedly the player most likely to make way if Babar comes back into the top order.
Why Mohammad Rizwan Could Be Rested
Rizwan’s place is also under discussion. He scored 12 and 41 in the two innings at Headingley, and Pakistan still collapsed twice.
Resting him would not be a simple swap. Pakistan already carry a second wicketkeeper, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, in the England squad. He is uncapped in Tests, so handing him a debut would be a bold move at Lord’s.
A change at number seven would also shift the balance of the middle order and the tail.
Pakistan’s Two Spinner Plan for Lord’s
Conditions are driving this decision. Reports from London suggest a dry, relatively flat surface at Lord’s, which favours spin more than the average English pitch.
Sajid Khan and Ali Usman are the two names in contention. The pair already worked well together during Pakistan’s West Indies tour, taking 14 of 19 wickets in a Port of Spain Test.
Lord’s will test that plan against a different batting lineup. Still, it gives the selectors a recent, working example of the combination.
Ali Usman strengthened his own case at Headingley, taking five wickets in England’s first innings figures of 24 overs, one maiden, 95 runs and five wickets. That is a strong return in a Test Pakistan lost heavily.
Ubaid Shah Adds a Pace Option
Young fast bowler Ubaid Shah is also under consideration. His inclusion would show Pakistan are not giving up on pace entirely.
The final call between an extra spinner and an extra seamer will likely be made only after the team management inspects the Lord’s pitch closer to match day.
What Went Wrong at Headingley
Batting was the core problem. Pakistan made just 171 in the first innings and 135 in the second, while England posted 409.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue took five wickets each as England’s seam attack exploited the conditions early. Salman Ali Agha later admitted England had simply outplayed Pakistan.
Abdullah Shafique was one bright spot with 61 in the first innings, and Imam ul Haq added 42. The rest of the order struggled to build partnerships. Pakistan’s broader plan for this England tour now depends heavily on fixing that top order fragility.
Possible Pakistan XI for Lord’s
This lineup is a reported possibility, not a confirmed XI from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
| Position | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shan Masood | Expected |
| 2 | Imam ul Haq | Expected |
| 3 | Abdullah Shafique | Expected |
| 4 | Babar Azam | If fit |
| 5 | Saud Shakeel | Subject to selection |
| 6 | Salman Ali Agha | Expected |
| 7 | Mohammad Rizwan or Ghazi Ghori | Selection decision |
| 8 | Aamer Jamal | Selection option |
| 9 | Sajid Khan | Spin option |
| 10 | Ali Usman | Strong spin option |
| 11 | Ubaid Shah or Mohammad Ali | Pitch dependent |
Series Snapshot: England vs Pakistan
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Series score | England lead 1 nil |
| Second Test | August 27 to 31, Lord’s |
| First Test result | England won by innings and 103 runs |
| Pakistan 1st innings | 171 |
| England 1st innings | 409 |
| Pakistan 2nd innings | 135 |
| Third Test | September 9 to 13, Edgbaston |
According to official sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed Lord’s as the second Test venue and has not yet issued an update on the final playing XI.
Fans following Babar’s career arc will remember his record-equaling run in past series, which adds extra weight to his fitness update this week.
What Happens Next
Pakistan are expected to inspect the Lord’s pitch before locking in the final XI. Babar needs fitness clearance first.
The management must then decide on Rizwan’s place, the balance between spin and pace, and how to protect the top order from another early collapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Pakistan Lord’s Test?
The second Test between England and Pakistan begins at Lord’s in London on August 27 and runs until August 31, 2026.
Will Babar Azam play at Lord’s?
Babar’s return is under review but has not been officially confirmed. He missed the first Test after a right hand injury during a practice match.
Could Mohammad Rizwan be rested for the Lord’s Test?
Yes. Reports say Pakistan’s team management is considering resting Rizwan for the second Test. The final call will come with the playing XI.
Why are Pakistan considering two spinners for Lord’s?
Dry conditions and a relatively flat Lord’s surface are part of the reason. Ali Usman also strengthened his case with a five wicket haul at Headingley.
Who could replace Mohammad Rizwan as wicketkeeper?
Muhammad Ghazi Ghori is the other wicketkeeper in Pakistan’s England Test squad. He is uncapped in Tests, so his selection would be a major change.
What is Pakistan’s position in the England Test series?
England lead the three match series 1 nil after winning the Headingley Test by an innings and 103 runs.
