Published on: Aug 18, 2026 3:30 pm IST | Updated on: Aug 18, 2026 1:08 pm IST
England is all set to host Pakistan for a 3-match Test series starting on August 19 at Headingley in Leeds. The opening fixture will be followed by games at Lord’s and Edgbaston on August 27 and September 9, respectively. Both teams have had a torrid time in the recent past in the red-ball format and will be looking to get their WTC campaign back on track. As of now, England and Pakistan are placed 7th and 8th, respectively, on the WTC table and are desperate to turn the tables around for an outside chance of featuring in the final. In this post, we have compiled free expert tips for the 1st Test of the Pakistan Tour of England 2026 at Headingley, Leeds.
England will be taking the field with home advantage backing them. Joe Root returns as the captain of the side and would want his second stint as England’s Test captain to kick off on a brighter note. As far as Pakistan is concerned, doubts over the availability of skipper Babar Azam loom after he sustained a finger injury in the second Test against West Indies. With Babar doubtful, England should have their noses ahead heading into this contest. Expect the win probability meter to lean in favor of the hosts. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 1st Test of the Pakistan Tour of England 2026 at Headingley, Leeds.
ENG: 59% win chance PAK: 41% win chance
Shan scored a brilliant ton recently in the 1st Test against West Indies at Tarouba in Trinidad. The stylish left-hander has scored 657 runs in his last 9 Test outings and has been averaging 36.5. Expect Shan to play a crucial role in the middle order.
Saud came back from injury and scored a ton in the tour game prior to this game. He remains a vital cog with the bat for Pakistan in the absence of Babar Azam.
Reappointed as England's Test skipper, Joe will look to celebrate the same with a big score in this Test match. The veteran batter has scored 855 runs in his last 10 Test outings, averaging close to 48.
One of England's brightest prospects in red ball cricket, Harry remains a batting mainstay in the English batting order. He has notched up 742 runs in his last 10 Test outings.
Check out our prediction for the ENG vs PAK 1st Test at Headingley, Leeds.
England is set to host Pakistan for a three‑match Test series beginning on August 19 at Headingley, Leeds. The hosts themselves are under scrutiny, having lost four of their last five Tests, but Pakistan’s concerns are equally pressing. The availability of skipper Babar Azam remains doubtful after he sustained a finger injury in the second Test against West Indies, leaving a leadership void at a crucial juncture.
In Babar’s absence, the responsibility will fall heavily on senior players. Shan Masood and Imam‑ul‑Haq must provide solidity at the top, while Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan will be expected to anchor the middle order. With the ball, Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali hold the key to exploiting Headingley’s seam‑friendly conditions.
Pakistan’s recent struggles highlight the need for a sharper, more disciplined approach. Their batting unit must avoid collapses, while the bowlers must maintain consistency to challenge England’s lineup. To turn the tide, Pakistan will have to craft a clear plan, execute it with precision, and show resilience in English conditions. A strong performance here could reset their campaign and restore confidence.
England will take the field with the comfort of home advantage as they begin their latest Test assignment. Returning to familiar conditions, they will be eager to capitalize on the support of the Headingley crowd and the swing‑friendly pitches that often favor their bowlers. The spotlight will be on Joe Root, who resumes captaincy duties for a second stint and will be determined to start on a brighter note this time around.
The batting unit looks promising, with Harry Brook, Emilio Gay, and Ben Duckett expected to provide firepower alongside the returning Ollie Pope, whose presence adds stability to the middle order. In the bowling department, England boast a potent mix of pace and control. Jofra Archer’s raw speed, Ollie Robinson’s consistency, and Josh Tongue’s aggression form a formidable attack, while Jordan Cox adds depth to the lineup.
With a blend of youth and experience, England will rely on their home advantage to set the tone in this series. Root’s leadership, combined with the energy of his squad, could prove decisive as they aim to reassert dominance in front of their own fans. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 92 PAK won: 23 ENG won: 30 Draw: 39 RECENT form ENGLAND: W L W L L RECENT form PAKISTAN: L L L L W
Pakistan and England have locked horns 92 times in Test cricket history. England have a slight upper hand in this head-to-head battle, having won 30 games, whereas Pakistan have won 23. A total of 39 games ended as a draw.
How will the two teams, i.e., England and Pakistan, fare in the 1st Test of the Pakistan Tour of England 2026? Let’s take a look.
Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awaiz, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Awais Zafar, Salman Ali Agha (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Aamer Jamal, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali
Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, Daniel Lawrence, Jamie Smith (WK), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 1st Test of the Pakistan Tour of England 2026 between Pakistan and England at Headingley, Leeds.
Headingley’s seam‑friendly conditions and overcast weather often tilt the balance towards bowling first. Captains will likely opt to field, hoping to exploit early swing and seam movement before conditions ease for batting. Expect the toss winner to choose bowling, aiming to seize control in the opening session.
The 1st Test of the Pakistan Tour of England 2026 will be streamed live online on the JioHotstar app. The live TV coverage of this series will take place on Star Sports Channel 1 and 3.
England will start as the favorites in this Test match. They are playing at home and should have their tails up at least in the opening game of the series. Pakistan heads into this series on the back of a win over West Indies in the second Test and should take that confidence into this game. However, with the way they have played in red-ball cricket in recent times, England should start as the favorites. Therefore, as per our prediction, England is expected to win the ENG vs PAK 1st Test of the Pakistan Tour of England.
Want more Cricket Betting Tips like this? Click here