Pakistan’s cricket camp has been hit by a major injury scare as captain Babar Azam was forced to retire hurt during a three-day warm-up match against the Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI today, August 14, 2026. The prolific batter, currently ranked 10th in the ICC Test rankings, took a nasty blow to his right hand while batting on five runs, putting his participation in the imminent Test series against England in doubt.
Babar Azam Injured During Warm – Up Match
Incident Details
The alarming incident unfolded at the County Cricket Ground in Beckenham, during Pakistan’s first innings against the PCC Select XI. Facing fast bowler Manny Lumsden, Babar was struck on his right glove by a quick delivery. The sheer pain forced the 31-year-old to immediately drop his bat and remove his gloves to inspect the injury, with the team physio quickly rushing onto the field. Babar Azam was unable to continue his innings after being hit by the ball and retired hurt, leaving his fitness “under the scanner” just ahead of the high-stakes Test series.
Impact on England Test Series
The timing of this injury could not be worse for Pakistan, who are set to face England in a three-match Test series starting August 19. Babar Azam’s recent form has been exceptional, having been named Player of the Series after leading Pakistan to an 8-wicket victory over the West Indies, where he scored two half-centuries.
His leadership and batting prowess are considered crucial for Pakistan’s momentum in the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27 (WTC 2025-27) cycle. The series against England marks a significant challenge, with the first Test scheduled to commence in Leeds in just five days.
England vs Pakistan Test Series 2026 Schedule:
| Match | Dates | Venue | Local Start Time (BST) | Pakistan Time (PKT) | India Time (IST) | US East Coast (EDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Aug 19 – Aug 23 | Headingley, Leeds | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 6:00 AM |
| 2nd Test | Aug 27 – Aug 31 | Lord’s, London | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 6:00 AM |
| 3rd Test | Sep 9 – Sep 13 | Edgbaston, B’ham | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 6:00 AM |
Pakistan Warm-up Match Summary
The three-day warm-up fixture, taking place from August 13 to August 15, 2026, saw the PCC Select XI bat first, posting a total of 305 runs. Half-centuries from captain Tom Haines, Caleb Falconer, Saif Zaib, and Matthew Fisher anchored their innings. Pakistan’s bowling effort was led by Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali, who each claimed three wickets, while Khurram Shahzad picked up two.
The severity of Babar Azam’s injury and his recovery timeline will be crucial for Pakistan as they prepare to face a formidable English side, captained by Joe Root, in the highly anticipated Test series. An official statement on his condition is awaited.