London, August 23, 2026: Pakistan are considering changes to their playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord’s after suffering a heavy defeat in the series opener at Headingley, according to sources.
England defeated Pakistan by an innings and 120 runs in the opening Test on Friday after the visitors failed to recover from a 238-run first-innings deficit and were bowled out for 118 in their second innings.
The second Test of the three-match series is scheduled to begin at Lord’s Cricket Ground on August 27, with Pakistan’s team management expected to finalise the XI after assessing the conditions in London.
Sources said wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan could be rested for the second Test, while the management is hopeful that star batter Babar Azam will return after missing the series opener with a finger injury.
If Babar is declared fit, top-order batter Azan Awais is likely to make way for the former captain, sources added.
The management is also considering fielding two specialist spinners at Lord’s, with the expected dry conditions and a relatively flat surface being factored into the selection process.
Right-arm fast bowler Ubaid Shah is also reportedly in contention, with his pace potentially strengthening Pakistan’s attack.
The final combination will be decided after the squad arrives in London and the team management assesses the pitch and weather conditions.
Pakistan’s defeat at Headingley exposed significant weaknesses in a side still adapting to English conditions. The visitors were dismissed for 171 in their first innings before England amassed 409, leaving Pakistan with a substantial deficit.
Pakistan then collapsed for 118 in their second innings, allowing England to seal a comprehensive victory before the end of the third day.
Stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha, who led the side in Babar’s absence, acknowledged after the match that England had thoroughly outplayed Pakistan and attributed the defeat largely to repeated mistakes.
Agha also pointed to the inexperience of Pakistan’s batting line-up and the failure of the bowlers to make effective use of the early moisture in the pitch as major shortcomings.
Despite the setback, the captain backed Pakistan’s pace attack against criticism over its lack of express pace and highlighted the performances of Abdullah Shafique and left-arm spinner Ali Usman as positives from the opening Test.
