Pakistan cricket is abuzz with positive developments as captain Babar Azam has re-entered the top 10 of the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, a feat he last achieved in September 2024. His return to the elite group, climbing five places to 10th, follows a stellar performance in Pakistan’s recent eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in Port of Spain, where he scored 88 and an unbeaten 24 runs.
This triumph also marked Pakistan’s first away Test win in over three years.
Pakistan Stars Climb Rankings
Babar Azam isn’t the only Pakistani player making waves in the latest ICC rankings update, released today, August 12, 2026. Young batter Abdullah Shafique has made a remarkable leap, gaining 25 slots to reach 32nd position in the Test batters rankings. His impressive performance included an unbeaten 160 and 24 not out against the West Indies, earning him the Player of the Match award. Spinner Sajid Khan also saw an improvement, moving up five places to 30th in the Test bowlers rankings and rising to 32nd among Test all-rounders.
At the pinnacle of Test cricket, Australia’s Travis Head continues to dominate the batting charts, holding the top spot with 853 points. Meanwhile, India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remains the world’s number one Test bowler with 870 points.
Shan Masood Back for England Challenge
In further good news for Pakistan, experienced batter Shan Masood has successfully returned to full squad training. He was seen completing batting practice under medical supervision at Beckenham on August 11, 2026, after recovering from a finger injury sustained during the first Test of the Caribbean tour against the West Indies. Masood’s timely return is a significant boost for the squad as they prepare for a demanding three-match Test series against England, which forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle.
England Tour Schedule and Broadcast Details
Pakistan’s tour of England begins with a three-day warm-up match against a Professional County Club Select XI, starting tomorrow, August 13, 2026, in Beckenham. The main Test series will then commence with the first match in Leeds.
Here’s the full schedule for the series:
| Match | Dates | Venue | Start Time (BST) | Start Time (IST) | Start Time (PKT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | August 19-23, 2026 | Headingley, Leeds | 11:00 AM | 3:30 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 2nd Test | August 27-31, 2026 | Lord’s, London | 11:00 AM | 3:30 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 3rd Test | September 9-13, 2026 | Edgbaston, Birmingham | 11:00 AM | 3:30 PM | 3:00 PM |
With Babar Azam’s return to form and the invaluable comeback of Shan Masood, Pakistan will be looking to build on their recent success against the West Indies as they embark on a challenging but exciting Test series in England, aiming to make significant inroads in the current World Test Championship cycle. The series promises to be a thrilling contest between two competitive sides.