Pakistan vs England Test Series 2026: Root vs Babar Begins at Headingley… Full Schedule, Squads, Timings and Where to Watch in India

The wait is almost over.

England and Pakistan will renew their Test rivalry when the first match of their three-Test series gets underway at Headingley, Leeds, on August 19, 2026.

The series arrives at a fascinating moment for both teams. For England, it represents the beginning of a new chapter following the end of the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum era, with Joe Root returning to captain the Test side. Pakistan, meanwhile, arrive under Babar Azam and will be looking to challenge England in conditions that traditionally provide plenty of assistance to seam bowlers.

Pakistan are playing a Test series in England for the first time in six years. Their previous Test tour of the country came in 2020, when England won the three-match series 1-0.

With Headingley, Lord’s and Edgbaston hosting the three Tests, the 2026 contest promises to offer both teams a serious examination.

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ENG vs PAK 2026: Complete Test Series Schedule

The opening Test will be played at Headingley in Leeds from August 19 to 23.

The teams will then travel to London for the second Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground from August 27 to 31.

Following a short break, the series will conclude at Edgbaston in Birmingham, where the third Test will be played from September 9 to 13.

Full Schedule:

Match	Date	Venue	Start Time in India
1st Test	August 19-23, 2026	Headingley, Leeds	3:30 PM IST
2nd Test	August 27-31, 2026	Lord’s, London	3:30 PM IST
3rd Test	September 9-13, 2026	Edgbaston, Birmingham	3:30 PM IST

All three matches are scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM local time, which corresponds to 3:30 PM IST for viewers in India.

Joe Root Returns as England Test Captain

One of the biggest storylines surrounding the series is the return of Joe Root to England’s Test captaincy.

Root previously led England between 2017 and 2022, but has now returned for a second spell following Ben Stokes’ retirement from Test cricket.

England are also transitioning away from the period associated with former head coach Brendon McCullum. The series therefore provides an early indication of what the next phase of England’s red-ball cricket could look like.

Despite the leadership changes, England still possess a dangerous batting group.

Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith and Root provide significant firepower, while Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence have returned to the squad after strong domestic performances. Jordan Cox is also expected to receive an opportunity at No. 3 following an injury to Jacob Bethell.

England Squad for Pakistan Test Series

England announced a 16-member squad for the opening two Tests against Pakistan.

England squad: Joe Root (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Matthew Fisher, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue.

England’s pace department is particularly interesting.

The presence of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Sam Cook, Matthew Fisher and Ollie Robinson gives the hosts several options depending on conditions.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Bashir provides the frontline spin option.

Babar Azam Leads Pakistan in England

For Pakistan, considerable attention will naturally fall on Babar Azam.

Babar enters the series as captain, although his fitness became a talking point shortly before the opening Test after he was struck on the hand during Pakistan’s warm-up match.

The injury forced Babar out of the remainder of the tour game. Pakistan remained hopeful about his availability, though reports immediately before the Headingley opener indicated that his participation would depend on medical advice.

Pakistan also received encouraging news regarding Shan Masood, who returned to training after suffering a left-index finger fracture in July.

The visitors warmed up for the Test series with a seven-wicket victory over the Professional County Club Select XI, with Saud Shakeel scoring an unbeaten century during the successful chase.

That result should provide Pakistan with some confidence before the much tougher challenge at Headingley.

Pakistan Squad for England Test Series

Pakistan named a squad featuring a combination of established Test performers and younger players.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Abdullah Fazal, Aamer Jamal, Salman Ali Agha, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Sajid Khan, Ubaid Shah and Ali Usman.

Pakistan’s bowling attack could be particularly interesting in English conditions.

Experienced seamer Mohammad Abbas remains a player England’s batters will have to watch closely. His ability to move the ball and maintain an accurate line and length could make him dangerous if Headingley provides assistance for seam bowling.

ENG vs PAK 2026: When Will the First Test Begin?

The first Test between England and Pakistan begins on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Headingley in Leeds.

Play is scheduled to start at:

11:00 AM local time / 10:00 AM GMT / 3:30 PM IST.

The match is scheduled to run until August 23, subject to the possibility of an earlier result or weather interruptions.

Where to Watch England vs Pakistan Test Series Live in India?

For Indian cricket fans, the digital viewing option has been confirmed.

The entire England vs Pakistan three-match Test series will be available for live streaming on FanCode in India.

Watch on FanCode

As of the latest confirmed information, there is no confirmed television broadcaster for the series in India. Fans should therefore check the latest broadcast listings closer to each match in case television arrangements change.

England Enter a New Era After Stokes

Perhaps the biggest reason this series feels different is the absence of Ben Stokes as England’s Test leader.

The Stokes-McCullum partnership dramatically transformed the way England approached Test cricket, encouraging aggressive batting and unconventional tactics.

With that chapter over, England must now determine how much of that philosophy remains.

Root’s return to captaincy provides experience and familiarity, but the team around him is changing.

Players such as Brook, Duckett and Jamie Smith are products of England’s aggressive recent approach, while the recalls of experienced options such as Pope and Lawrence suggest the selectors also want greater adaptability.

Pakistan Have an Opportunity to Test England’s Transition

Pakistan could hardly have asked for a more intriguing moment to tour England.

The hosts have a returning captain, a changing coaching structure and several selection questions.

Pakistan, therefore, have an opportunity to apply pressure before England fully settle into their new system.

At the same time, winning a Test series in England remains an enormous challenge.

Conditions can change rapidly, seam and swing can transform a match within a session, and England’s pace-bowling depth gives Root plenty of weapons.

For Pakistan, much could depend on how effectively Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood handle those conditions.

Root vs Babar Adds Another Layer to the Series

The battle between Joe Root and Babar Azam will inevitably attract enormous attention.

Both have spent years among the most discussed batters in international cricket, but they enter this series carrying leadership responsibilities as well.

Root is attempting to guide England through a significant transition.

Babar is trying to lead Pakistan to a memorable result away from home.

Beyond the individual rivalry, there are three historic venues and potentially 15 days of Test cricket waiting to decide which team handles the pressure better.

The first answer will begin arriving at Headingley on August 19.