England vs Pakistan Test series: Joe Root leads new era against tourists chasing history
England, under the returned captaincy of Joe Root, is set to begin a new chapter as they host Pakistan for a three-match Test series starting August 19 at Headingley. The series is a crucial early fixture for both sides in the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Pakistan, led by skipper Babar Azam, arrives on English shores seeking their first Test series victory in the country since 1996. They face an England team in transition, moving on from the leadership of retired all-rounder Ben Stokes and former head coach Brendon McCullum.
A new dawn for the England vs Pakistan Test series
The home side enters this contest with a sense of unfamiliarity. Joe Root is back at the helm, retaking the captaincy following the international retirement of Ben Stokes. The change marks the end of a distinct era defined by the aggressive “Bazball” philosophy under Stokes and McCullum.
With McCullum also gone, Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim head coach for the series, tasked with steering the team through this pivotal transition. The selection reflects this new phase, with recalls for batsmen Dan Lawrence and Ollie Pope, who will be keen to cement their places in the Test side.
This kind of squad overhaul signals a significant strategic shift, not unlike major moves in other sports.
The batting order sees a notable change with Jordan Cox slated to take the crucial No. 3 position, following Jacob Bethell being ruled out of the series. All eyes will be on how Root, freed from the captaincy in recent years, adapts to leading a squad with fresh faces and a different tactical approach.
Pakistan’s long quest for a series win on English soil
For Pakistan, this tour is about breaking a nearly three-decade-long drought. They haven’t won a Test series in England since 1996, a statistic that looms large over captain Babar Azam and his squad. It’s a historic rivalry that carries the weight of past encounters, much like the revival of other classic sporting contests.
They have come close in recent memory, securing hard-fought draws in both 2016 and 2018 before falling to a 1-0 defeat during the Covid-affected tour of 2020. That resilience shows they can compete in English conditions, but converting performances into a series win has remained elusive.
The tourists aren’t without recent success, however. Their last Test series win came during the 2024/25 season, and they recorded impressive victories over England during a home series in 2024. They’ll look to that momentum, and a positive result in a recent tour match against the PCC XI, as a foundation for this campaign.
Key player battles and squad analysis
The outcome of the series could well hinge on a few critical one-on-one contests. The battle between Pakistan’s premier batsman, Babar Azam, and the express pace of a returning Jofra Archer will be a spectacle. Azam, despite a minor knock to the hand in a warm-up fixture, is expected to be fully fit and will be the lynchpin of his team’s batting.
Similarly, how England’s own master batsman, Joe Root, handles Pakistan’s primary spin threat, Sajid Khan, could dictate the flow of the middle overs. Another intriguing matchup will be between Pakistan’s in-form Saud Shakeel, who scored an unbeaten century in the tour match, and England’s young spinner Shoaib Bashir.
Both squads feature a blend of established stars and rising talent. England has handed a Test recall to Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence, with the latter expected to fill the all-rounder role at No. 6 vacated by Stokes. The pace attack, potentially featuring Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Ollie Robinson, will be crucial.
When fit, a world-class bowler can single-handedly change a series, much as we’ve seen with someone like Australian paceman Mitchell Starc.
Pakistan’s squad relies on the experience of Azam, former captain Shan Masood, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. The bowling unit includes Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad, who will be tasked with exploiting the English conditions.
Full schedule and ENG vs PAK Test series broadcast guide
The series will be contested across three of England’s most storied cricket grounds, beginning at Headingley before moving to Lord’s and concluding at Edgbaston. All three Test matches are scheduled for an 11:00 AM local start time (BST).
- 1st Test: August 19 – August 23 at Headingley, Leeds
- 2nd Test: August 27 – August 31 at Lord’s, London
- 3rd Test: September 9 – September 13 at Edgbaston, Birmingham
How to watch in the UK
For fans in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports holds the exclusive rights. Live coverage will be broadcast on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. Subscribers can also stream the action on the go via the Sky Go app, while non-subscribers can purchase passes through NOW TV.
Daily highlights will be available on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, with radio commentary from Test Match Special on BBC Sounds.
Where to watch in Pakistan and India
In Pakistan, the series will be broadcast on PTV Sports and Ten Sports. For those preferring to stream, options include Tapmad and Tamasha. In India, the Sony Sports Network is slated to carry the television broadcast, though some reports noted details were still being finalised. The most reliable viewing options for Indian fans will be the SonyLIV app and website for live streaming.
Global viewing options for cricket fans
The series will be available across the globe on various networks. In the United States and Canada, cricket fans can tune in via Willow TV. For viewers in Australia, Fox Sports will provide the telecast, with Kayo Sports offering a streaming alternative.
SuperSport will cover the series for nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, while Tapmad will stream the matches in Bangladesh. Fans in the Middle East and North Africa can watch on Cricbuzz 2.
High stakes in the World Test Championship
Beyond the historic rivalry, this series carries significant weight for the ICC World Test Championship. Both teams have had a slow start to the 2025-27 cycle, with England sitting seventh and Pakistan eighth in the early standings. This three-match encounter presents a vital opportunity for both to secure crucial points and climb the table.
For England, a series win would be a massive vote of confidence in Root’s second tenure as captain and prove there is life after the Stokes-McCullum partnership. For Pakistan, a victory on English soil would not only end a 30-year wait but also announce their arrival as serious contenders in the new WTC cycle.
The stakes couldn’t be higher as the first ball is bowled at Headingley.