England have won the toss and elected to field first against Pakistan in the opening Test of the three-match series at Headingley, Leeds. England captain Joe Root made the decision after the toss, sending Pakistan in to bat first.
Pakistan are playing the first Test without regular captain Babar Azam, who is sidelined with a right-hand injury sustained during a warm-up match. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha has been named stand-in captain for the Leeds Test.
Pakistan Playing XI
Pakistan’s final XI includes Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas, alongside captain Salman Ali Agha and the remaining selected players.
England Playing XI
England have named a strong pace-oriented lineup for the first Test. Their side includes Joe Root, Emily Guy, Ben Duckett, Jordan Cox, Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tong.
The Leeds Test marks Joe Root’s return as England Test captain following Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket. Root has indicated that England will look to retain elements of the aggressive approach developed during the previous era while bringing greater balance to their Test cricket.
