Babar Azam ruled out of first Test against England

Pakistan captain Babar Azam will miss the first Test against England at Headingley on Wednesday due to injury, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said on Tuesday, leaving Salman Ali Agha to lead the visitors in the series opener. Babar was struck on his right hand during Pakistan's practice match in Kent and has since developed swelling and pain. Sarfaraz said there was no fracture and expressed hope that the batsman could return for the second Test in seven or eight days. "The medical team is assessing him, so he is in a lot of pain," Sarfaraz told reporters. "We hope that he will be able to play the next Test match in seven or eight days." The absence of Babar is a significant blow for Pakistan, who have lost 14 of their last 18 Tests and are eighth in the 2025-27 World Test Championship standings with two wins from six matches. Salman, one of Pakistan's senior players, will take charge of a side looking to build on their recent series-levelling victory over the West Indies. Sarfaraz said the additional responsibility could help Salman rediscover his batting form after a difficult run. "I have full hope that Salman, our team's senior player, will definitely benefit the team from his batting," he said. Pakistan's preparations received a boost in Kent, where they defeated a PCC Select XI in a practice match. Saud Shakeel struck a century, while the team's bowling and batting units had the opportunity to adjust to English conditions. Headingley is expected to provide a sterner examination, particularly if the pitch retains grass and offers movement to the seamers. Mohammad Abbas, who has extensive experience playing county cricket in England, is expected to be a key part of Pakistan's attack. "Definitely, the experience that Abbas has here and the condition in which he plays cricket here, he will be one of our main bowlers," Sarfaraz said. Shan Masood is fit after missing Pakistan's second Test against the West Indies because of a finger injury. He did not play in the Kent practice match but is expected to return at Headingley. England also have plenty of questions to answer. They are seventh in the championship standings with four wins from 13 matches and enter the series after a 2-1 home defeat by New Zealand. Joe Root returns as England captain, while Dan Lawrence is back in the Test squad after a two-year absence. Lawrence also provides an off-spin option. England will be without Jacob Bethell, who is recovering from a knee injury suffered during the ODI series against India. Jordan Cox has been called up as his replacement. Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has also taken charge as England's head coach, adding a new dimension to the team's leadership setup. Pakistan are playing a Test series in England for the first time since 2020, when they lost 1-0. For Pakistan, the immediate task is to cope without Babar and overcome an English pace attack in conditions that could expose any weakness in their batting. For England, the opening Test offers an opportunity to revive a campaign that has yet to deliver the consistency required in the championship.