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Latest Pakistan cricket, football and sports news, match updates, team developments and analysis from Pakistan and around the world.

Pakistan vs England Test Series 2026: Schedule, Venues, Squad

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Pakistan batsman facing England in a T20 international match

The Pakistan vs England Test series 2026 begins on Wednesday 19 August at Headingley, Leeds — Pakistan’s first Test tour of England since 2020. Three matches across three weeks, all counting towards the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 standings.

Here is the confirmed schedule, what the series means for Pakistan’s WTC position, and the conditions that will decide it.

Pakistan vs England 2026: full Test schedule

TestDatesVenueStart (PKT)
1st Test19–23 August 2026Headingley, Leeds3:00 pm
2nd Test27–31 August 2026Lord’s, London3:00 pm
3rd Test9–13 September 2026Edgbaston, Birmingham3:00 pm

All three matches begin at 3:00 pm Pakistan Standard Time, which corresponds to an 11:00 am local start in England. The fixtures were confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board in July 2025.

Note the gap: nine days separate the end of the Lord’s Test from the start at Edgbaston. That is an unusually long break in a modern three-match series and gives both squads genuine recovery time — relevant for fast bowlers managing workloads.

Preparation: the Shaheens tour

Pakistan have not arrived cold. The Pakistan Shaheens — the A-team — have been touring England for a three-match 50-over series and a two-match three-day series, giving fringe and reserve players exposure to English conditions ahead of the Tests.

This matters more than it sounds. The most common failure mode for touring sides in England is not talent but adjustment time: the ball moves later and for longer than it does in Rawalpindi or Multan, and batters who have not faced it recently tend to play too far in front of their body in the first innings of a tour.

What is at stake in the World Test Championship

Every match forms part of the 2025–27 WTC cycle. Under the current system, teams are ranked by percentage of available points won rather than raw totals — a design that means a three-match away series carries disproportionate weight for the touring side, because there are fewer matches to average across.

In practical terms: a 2–1 away win would be a substantial boost to Pakistan’s percentage. A 3–0 loss would be difficult to recover from within the cycle. Draws are worth less than half a win, which discourages defensive cricket from both sides — and in English late-summer conditions, results are the norm rather than the exception.

The three venues, and what they favour

Headingley, Leeds

Traditionally the most bowler-friendly of the three. Overcast Yorkshire mornings and a pitch that offers seam movement make the first session on each day decisive. Winning the toss matters here more than at most English grounds, and totals under 300 are frequently competitive.

Lord’s, London

The famous slope across the ground changes the angle of attack from each end and rewards bowlers who can adapt their line. Historically it offers more for batters than Headingley once the initial movement subsides, but the second new ball is often more dangerous than the first.

Edgbaston, Birmingham

A September Test at Edgbaston is a different proposition from a July one. Later in the season the surface tends to take more turn, and with the series potentially level going in, spin could decide it — an area where Pakistan have historically held an advantage over England at home and have sometimes travelled better than expected.

Squad and captaincy

Official Test squad details for this series had not been confirmed in full at the time of writing. Some outlets have reported Babar Azam leading the side; the PCB’s own confirmation should be treated as the authoritative source, and we will update this page when squads are formally announced.

Shaheen Afridi’s role has been a live discussion point across formats — he recently spoke about captaincy and World Cup preparations. Separately, the PCB has issued NOCs to national cricketers for foreign leagues, a factor in workload management across a congested calendar.

Frequently asked questions

When does the Pakistan vs England Test series start?

The first Test begins on 19 August 2026 at Headingley, Leeds, at 3:00 pm Pakistan time.

How many Tests are in the series?

Three, at Headingley, Lord’s and Edgbaston. There is no ODI or T20 component announced as part of this Test tour.

When did Pakistan last tour England for Tests?

2020 — a series played behind closed doors under COVID-19 biosecure conditions. This is Pakistan’s first Test tour of England with full crowds in six years.

Does the series count for the World Test Championship?

Yes. All three Tests are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle and affect both teams’ points percentages.

Schedule confirmed against ECB fixture announcements and reporting by CricExec, ESPNcricinfo and Lord’s. Squad details will be updated once the PCB confirms them officially. Last updated 15 August 2026.

More cricket: FutureSoch Sports coverage

Related reading: 5G in Pakistan 2026

Ireland Football Association withdraws support for FIFA president

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Ireland Football

DUBLIN: The Football Association of Ireland has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term, dealing another setback to his bid to remain at the helm of world football’s governing body.

The Irish football association confirmed the decision in a letter to FIFA, saying recent developments had raised serious concerns over governance, transparency and consultation.

The move came as the Irish football body’s counterparts in Northern Ireland backed UEFA’s position on the issue.

UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have previously raised concerns over Infantino’s leadership and accused him of undermining trust.

The withdrawal of Ireland’s support adds to growing opposition facing Infantino ahead of the FIFA presidential election.

The Football Association of Wales was the first of the British and Irish football associations to withdraw its support for Infantino, while the English Football Association has also backed away from its previous support.

The developments could increase pressure on Infantino as he seeks a fourth term as FIFA president.

Body of missing climber Soheil Sakhi found on Broad Peak

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Body of missing

SKARDU: The body of Pakistani mountaineer Soheil Sakhi, who had been missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak, has been found, the Alpine Club of Pakistan said.

According to the club, local volunteers from the Tasir area of Shigar district searched for the missing climber and recovered his body on their own.

The volunteers involved in the search included Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Bashir and Abuzar, the Alpine Club said.

Sakhi’s body was brought from Camp 1 to the base camp by the volunteers, who were assisted by Zaman and other team members.

The Alpine Club said the body could be airlifted to Skardu by helicopter on Thursday if weather conditions permit.

The club also expressed condolences to Sakhi’s family and the wider mountaineering community.

About 15 days ago, an avalanche struck Broad Peak, leaving 10 climbers missing. The bodies of seven climbers, including five Nepalese mountaineers, have since been recovered.

Shaheen Afridi opens up on captaincy and World Cup preparations

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Shaheen Afridi

MULTAN: Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has said he remains the national team captain for the upcoming World Cup “for now” and that the National Champions Cup will help selectors assess players for squad selection.

Speaking to media during the trophy unveiling ceremony of the National Champions Cup in Multan, Shaheen said the tournament would provide an opportunity to evaluate performances and assist in finalising the World Cup squad.

“Until now, I am the captain for the World Cup,” Shaheen said.

Pakistan Greens captain Shadab Khan missed the trophy unveiling and press conference due to fever, with Faheem Ashraf representing his team at the event.

The National Champions Cup will be held from August 11 to 18 at Multan Cricket Stadium, featuring four teams Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold.

The teams will compete in a single round-robin format, with the top two sides on the points table qualifying for the final on August 18.

The four teams will be led by Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, respectively.

All matches will be played under lights and will begin at 3pm Pakistan Standard Time.

Three football confederations challenge FIFA leadership

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Three football

GENEVA: Three major football confederations have publicly criticised FIFA leadership, accusing it of a serious failure in decision-making and a breach of trust over an attempt to sell a share of World Cup commercial rights.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), European football’s governing body UEFA, and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) issued a joint open letter expressing strong reservations over the proposal.

The letter was signed by AFC President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, and the three confederations’ general secretaries.

The confederations said the dispute was not about money but about football’s integrity and the responsibility of those entrusted with leading the sport.

They said football leadership was a responsibility granted by the global football community and not the personal property of any individual.

The three bodies criticised FIFA’s handling of the proposal to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, saying it was pushed forward within a limited timeframe without meaningful consultation with member associations.

They argued that FIFA had described the issue as a failure of communication, while they viewed it as a failure of governance and decision-making.

The confederations said FIFA failed to acknowledge that the proposal itself was fundamentally flawed and called the move a serious breach of trust with football stakeholders.

They also objected to FIFA’s plan for an internal review, demanding a fully independent investigation by an external third party. The confederations said FIFA officials, staff members or football stakeholders involved in the matter should not play any role in the inquiry.

The letter called for the preservation of all relevant documents and records related to the proposal.

The AFC, UEFA and CONCACAF also raised concerns over a recent FIFA meeting in Morocco, claiming that only one elected official attended while FIFA Council members and member associations were not invited.

They said the selection of only certain management committee members for an overseas meeting added to concerns surrounding the decision-making process.

The confederations clarified that their objections were not against financial growth or previous collective decisions made by football authorities, including World Cup expansions and funding programmes for member nations.

They said the development of football over the past decade was the result of collective efforts by FIFA, confederations, member associations and thousands of people involved in the sport.

The three organisations stressed that FIFA’s financial resources should be used responsibly for the development of member countries but said the current dispute was about transparency, accountability and leadership standards.

They concluded by calling for unity in football, saying leadership should serve the sport rather than seek to control it.

Lionel Messi’s father Jorge Messi dies at 68 after battle with cancer

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Lionel Messi

ROSARIO: Jorge Messi, father of Argentina football legend Lionel Messi, passed away at the age of 68 in his hometown of Rosario on Friday evening, August 7.

According to local media reports, Jorge Messi had been battling pancreatic cancer. News of his serious health condition emerged during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Jorge Messi was widely regarded as a key figure in shaping his son’s football career, supporting Lionel Messi from his teenage years and later playing an important role in his journey to becoming one of the greatest players in football history.

He managed his son’s career as an advisor and was reportedly involved in major career decisions, including Messi’s moves from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain and later to Inter Miami.

Jorge Messi recently appeared during Argentina’s opening World Cup match against Algeria, where Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick and became emotional after the game.

Reflecting on the emotional moment, Messi said: “It had nothing to do with sports; I’ve been through some difficult and complicated days.”

The Messi family has not yet issued an official statement regarding Jorge Messi’s death.

Calls grow for FIFA President Infantino to step down

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Calls grow

OSLO: Opposition against FIFA President Gianni Infantino has intensified, with the Norwegian Football Federation calling for him to resign, while UEFA has warned of a possible boycott of FIFA competitions.

Norwegian Football Federation President Lise Klaveness said Infantino had lost the confidence of the football community and should no longer continue leading world football’s governing body.

Klaveness said FIFA needed to focus on effective governance and reforms rather than becoming involved in power struggles. She emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability within the organization.

Meanwhile, UEFA has maintained its stance that European teams could boycott FIFA competitions unless guarantees are provided that the ownership or management of major tournaments, including the World Cup, will not be transferred to private investors.

However, Infantino has received support from the football federations of Mexico and Argentina, while the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also backed his leadership unanimously.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) did not directly support or oppose Infantino but expressed concerns over unilateral decision-making processes.

PCB issues NOCs to national cricketers for foreign leagues

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PCB issues

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to several national cricketers, allowing them to participate in overseas leagues.

The PCB has granted NOCs to Hasan Nawaz, Hunain Shah, Naseem Shah and Usman Khan for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). NOCs have also been issued to Muaz Sadaqat, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufiyan Muqeem and Shadab Khan for participation in the tournament.

The players have been granted permission to play in the CPL from August 19 to September 21.

Meanwhile, spinner Noman Ali has received an NOC to represent Lancashire County until September 27.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris has been granted permission for the CPL from August 7 to September 20, while mystery spinner Usman Tariq will be available for the tournament from August 8 to September 18.

All-rounder Usama Mir has also been issued an NOC for the CPL from August 7 to September 21.

The PCB’s decision allows national players to gain international league experience while managing their availability for Pakistan’s upcoming cricket commitments.

UEFA maintains FIFA boycott despite Infantino’s withdrawal of plan

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UEFA maintains

GENEVA: European football’s governing body UEFA said its member associations will continue their boycott of FIFA competitions despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino reversing his decision to pursue the sale of minority stakes in the organization’s commercial assets.

In a statement, UEFA said its 55 member associations remain committed to withdrawing from FIFA events, stressing that the world football governing body has not accepted the conditions set by European football authorities.

UEFA had unanimously voted to consider withdrawing from FIFA competitions after Infantino announced plans to seek private investment in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other major events.

Facing growing pressure, Infantino later abandoned the proposal and received support from FIFA leadership during a meeting in Morocco. However, UEFA said the withdrawal of the plan was only one of several conditions required to restore cooperation.

The European body said additional demands linked to participation in FIFA competitions remain unresolved, adding that its position on the boycott has not changed.

Infantino gains African backing as FIFA leadership criticism continues

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Infantino gains

ZURICH: FIFA President Gianni Infantino received a major boost in his bid for a fourth term after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unanimously expressed support for his leadership, while criticism from European football authorities continued.

CAF, which represents 54 member associations and is one of FIFA’s largest voting blocs, endorsed Infantino’s leadership, a move seen as a significant political gain for the FIFA president ahead of the next election.

However, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) reiterated that it still lacks confidence in Infantino’s leadership.

UEFA said its position had not changed despite FIFA withdrawing a controversial proposal involving private investment in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other major events. The European body said FIFA had not provided guarantees that similar decisions would not be pursued in the future.

FIFA has apologized to its 211 member associations over the handling of the investment proposal, acknowledging flaws in the decision-making process and promising a comprehensive review.

Meanwhile, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) expressed concerns over unilateral decision-making and called for greater transparency and institutional reforms within FIFA.