--- title: "Salman Agha to lead Pakistan in first Test against England as Babar Azam is ruled out" description: "Most outlets reported that Salman Agha will replace Babar Azam as Pakistan’s captain for the first Test against England, noting the three-Test series will begin in Leeds. The Nation emphasized the setback for Pakistan due to Babar’s injury, while the other outlets presented the change in leadership more neutrally. None of the excerpts provided details about the nature of Babar’s injury or its expected duration." url: https://harzaviya.com/stories/3266-pakistan-captain-babar-in-injury-scare-ahead-of-england site: HarZaviya language: en --- # Salman Agha to lead Pakistan in first Test against England as Babar Azam is ruled out sports · latest filing 19 Aug 2026, 3:00 PM PKT · 14–19 Aug 2026 · 31 articles from 12 outlets over 6 developments ## How it developed Newest development first. Each carries its own coverage and, where we have one, our summary of it. ### 19 Aug 2026 — Salman Agha to lead Pakistan in first Test against England as Babar Azam is ruled out (5 outlets) > Most outlets reported that Salman Agha will replace Babar Azam as Pakistan’s captain for the first Test against England, noting the three-Test series will begin in Leeds. The Nation emphasized the setback for Pakistan due to Babar’s injury, while the other outlets presented the change in leadership more neutrally. None of the excerpts provided details about the nature of Babar’s injury or its expected duration. - **ProPakistani** — [Babar Azam Ruled Out of First Test Against England](https://propakistani.pk/2026/08/19/babar-azam-ruled-out-of-first-test-against-england/) · 19 Aug 2026, 3:00 PM PKT > Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opening Test of the three-match away series against England due… Read More The post Babar Azam Ruled Out of First Test Against England appeared first on ProPakistani. - **Aaj News (English)** — [Salman Agha to stand in for injured Babar as Pakistan face England in first Test today](https://english.aaj.tv/news/330468475/salman-agha-to-stand-in-for-injured-babar-as-pakistan-face-england-in-first-test-today) · 19 Aug 2026, 11:37 AM PKT · 73% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan suffered a major setback ahead of the first Test against England at Headingley in Leeds on Wednesday, with captain and key batter Babar Azam ruled out after suffering a hand injury. The batter suffered a hand injury during Pakistan’s three-day warm-up match. Salman Agha will lead Pakistan in Leeds, becoming the 36th player to captain the country in Test cricket. Salman, who made his Te... - **Pakistan Observer** — [Salman Agha replaces injured Babar Azam to captain Pakistan in first England Test](https://pakobserver.net/salman-agha-replaces-injured-babar-azam-to-captain-pakistan-in-first-england-test/) · 19 Aug 2026, 10:45 AM PKT · 72% identical wording to the newest filing > LEEDS – Pakistan and England will lock horns in a three-match Test series from 19 August till 13 September with… - **Dunya News** — [Salman to stand-in for Babar in Leeds Test as Pakistan vs England series begins today](https://dunyanews.tv/en/Sports/968643-salman-to-standin-for-babar-in-leeds-test-as-pakistan-vs-england-seri) · 19 Aug 2026, 10:37 AM PKT · 68% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan and England begin a three-Test series in Leeds, with Salman Agha captaining Pakistan in place of injured Babar Azam. The series runs from August 19 to September 13. - **The Nation** — [Babar ruled out of first England Test, Salman Agha to lead Pakistan](https://www.nation.com.pk/19-Aug-2026/babar-ruled-first-england-test-salman-agha-lead-pakistan) · 19 Aug 2026, 7:41 AM PKT · 83% identical wording to the newest filing > LAHORE - Pakistan have suffered a major setback ahead of the opening Test against England, with captain Babar Azam ruled out of the series opener at Headingley today (Wednesday) after failing to recover fully from a hand injury. ### 18 Aug 2026 — Babar Azam ruled out of first England Test with hand injury (12 outlets) > Most outlets reported that Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against England due to a hand injury sustained during a practice match, with Salman Ali Agha named as his replacement captain. While some headlines framed the situation as uncertain or "in doubt," the majority of excerpts confirmed his unavailability. A few outlets, such as *The Nation* and *Dawn*, initially suggested uncertainty or a late decision, but later excerpts from *Geo News*, *24 News HD*, *Daily Times*, and *Business Recorder* provided clearer confirmation of Azam's absence and the naming of Agha as captain. - **Pakistan Observer** — [Babar Azam Ruled Out of First England Test, Salman to Lead Pakistan](https://pakobserver.net/babar-azam-ruled-out-of-first-england-test-salman-to-lead-pakistan/) · 18 Aug 2026, 7:39 PM PKT > Pakistan have suffered a major blow ahead of the opening Test against England, with captain Babar Azam ruled out after… - **Dawn** — [Babar Azam out of first Test against England with hand injury](https://www.dawn.com/news/2023682/babar-azam-out-of-first-test-against-england-with-hand-injury) · 18 Aug 2026, 7:29 PM PKT · 85% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against England at Headingley starting Wednesday, with Salman Ali Agha taking over as skipper. Azam has been unable to overcome an injury to his right hand after being struck by England Under-19 paceman Manny Lumsden during Pakistan’s warm-up game last week against a County Select XI. He promptly retired hurt in what a team spokes... - **Business Recorder** — [Babar Azam ruled out of first England Test with hand injury](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40435389/babar-azam-ruled-out-of-first-england-test-with-hand-injury) · 18 Aug 2026, 6:20 PM PKT · 87% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opening Test against England after suffering a hand injury during a practice match, with Salman Ali Agha set to captain the side in his absence. The national team’s head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed that Salman will lead the national team in the first Test, while Shan Masood has been declared fully fit and available for selection. Bab... - **Dunya News** — [Babar Azam ruled out of first England Test, Salman Ali Agha named captain](https://dunyanews.tv/en/Sports/968543--babar-azam-ruled-out-of-first-england-test-salman-ali-agha-named-cap) · 18 Aug 2026, 5:55 PM PKT · 86% identical wording to the newest filing > Babar Azam has been ruled out of Pakistan’s first Test against England with a hand injury, while Salman Ali Agha will captain the team in his absence. - **Daily Times** — [Babar Azam to miss first England Test](https://dailytimes.com.pk/1540230/babar-azam-to-miss-first-england-test/) · 18 Aug 2026, 5:52 PM PKT · 81% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan captain and star batter Babar Azam will miss the opening Test against England after suffering a finger injury during a practice match, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed Tuesday. The first Test of the three-match series will begin Wednesday in Leeds, with Salman Ali Agha set to lead Pakistan in Babar’s absence. The development comes […] - **ARY News (English)** — [Babar Azam ruled out of first England Test](https://arynews.tv/babar-azam-ruled-out-of-first-england-test) · 18 Aug 2026, 5:47 PM PKT · 85% identical wording to the newest filing - **24 News HD** — [Babar Azam ruled out of first England Test, Salman Agha to lead Pakistan](https://www.24newshd.tv/18-Aug-2026/babar-azam-ruled-first-england-test-salman-agha-lead-pakistan) · 18 Aug 2026, 5:40 PM PKT · 88% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan captain Babar Azam will miss the opening Test of the three-match series against England because of a finger injury, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed on Tuesday. - **Geo News** — [Babar Azam to miss first Test against England, confirms Pakistan coach](https://www.geo.tv/latest/678148-babar-azam-to-miss-first-test-against-england-confirms-pakistan-coach) · 18 Aug 2026, 5:33 PM PKT · 82% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan captain Babar Azam plays a shot during second Test against West Indies in Trinidad on August 4, 2026. — PCB Pakistan captain and star batter Babar Azam will miss the opening Test of the three-match away series against England, set to commence on Wednesday at Leeds,... - **Aaj News (English)** — [Babar faces fitness test ahead of Pakistan-England Test](https://english.aaj.tv/news/330468390/babar-faces-fitness-test-ahead-of-pakistan-england-test) · 18 Aug 2026, 4:03 PM PKT · 72% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan will face England in the first Test of their three-match series at Headingley, Leeds, on Wednesday, with Babar Azam’s participation still in serious doubt due to a finger injury. The match is scheduled to begin at 3pm Pakistan time. Babar sustained an impact injury to his right hand while batting in the second Test against the West Indies. He was struck on the same hand again during Pa... - **ProPakistani** — [Pakistan Captain Doubtful for 1st England Test](https://propakistani.pk/2026/08/18/pakistan-captain-doubtful-for-1st-england-test/) · 18 Aug 2026, 11:53 AM PKT · 75% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s participation in the first Test against England is in serious doubt as he continues to recover… Read More The post Pakistan Captain Doubtful for 1st England Test appeared first on ProPakistani. - **Arab News Pakistan** — [Pakistan captain Babar Azam out of first Test against England](https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2655098/pakistan) · 18 Aug 2026, 7:08 AM PKT · 83% identical wording to the newest filing > LONDON: Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against England at Headingley starting Wednesday. Azam has been unable to overcome an injury to his right hand after being struck during Pakistan’s warm-up game last week against a County Select XI. It is the same hand he was struck on during the second Test against the West Indies earlier this month. “Pakistan captain Bab... - **The Nation** — [Pakistan unsure over Babar Azam’s availability for England Test opener](https://www.nation.com.pk/18-Aug-2026/pakistan-unsure-babar-azam-s-availability-england-test-opener) · 18 Aug 2026, 6:30 AM PKT · 73% identical wording to the newest filing > LEEDS - Pakistan remain uncertain over the availability of newly appointed Test captain Babar Azam for the opening Test against England after he returned to practice following a hand injury sustained in a warm-up match. ### 17 Aug 2026 — Pakistan captain Babar Azam doubtful for England opener (2 outlets) > Both outlets reported that Babar Azam is uncertain to play in the first Test against England due to a finger injury. The framing and content of the excerpts were nearly identical, with both leading with the same key detail about Azam's injury and its potential impact on the match. - **24 News HD** — [Pakistan captain Babar Azam doubtful for England opener](https://www.24newshd.tv/17-Aug-2026/pakistan-captain-babar-azam-doubtful-england-opener) · 17 Aug 2026, 7:22 PM PKT > Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam remains in doubt for the first Test against England starting Wednesday as he recovers from a finger injury. - **Arab News Pakistan** — [Pakistan captain Babar Azam doubtful for England opener](https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2654998/pakistan) · 17 Aug 2026, 8:08 AM PKT · 95% identical wording to the newest filing > LONDON: Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam remains in doubt for the first Test against England starting Wednesday as he recovers from a finger injury. Azam took a blow to his right hand while batting in the recent second Test against the West Indies. He was struck again on the same hand during Pakistan’s warm-up game against the Professional County Club Select XI in Beckenham last week. On Mon... ### 16 Aug 2026 — Babar in injury scare ahead of England opener (1 outlet) - **Daily Times** — [Babar in injury scare ahead of England opener](https://dailytimes.com.pk/1539144/babar-in-injury-scare-ahead-of-england-opener/) · 16 Aug 2026, 11:07 AM PKT > Pakistan captain Babar Azam suffered an injury during the second day of a warm-up match ahead of next week’s first Test against England. Babar was forced to retire hurt on five during Friday’s second day of three against a Professional County Club Select XI after being hit on the right hand. A Pakistan spokesman said […] ### 15 Aug 2026 — Babar Azam hit on hand during Kent practice match (4 outlets) > Most outlets reported that Babar Azam was struck on the hand during a practice match with Kent. Dunya News led with the advice for rest and mentioned the scheduled training at Headingley. Arab News Pakistan framed the incident as an "injury scare" and noted it occurred ahead of the Test opener against England, though the excerpt is cut off before full details. - **ProPakistani** — [Babar Azam Suffers Injury Scare Ahead of England Test Series](https://propakistani.pk/2026/08/15/babar-azam-suffers-injury-scare-ahead-of-england-test-series/) · 15 Aug 2026, 4:18 PM PKT > Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been advised to rest for the remainder of the ongoing three-day tour match against Professional… Read More The post Babar Azam Suffers Injury Scare Ahead of England Test Series appeared first on ProPakistani. - **ARY News (English)** — [Pakistan captain Babar in injury scare ahead of England Test](https://arynews.tv/pakistan-captain-babar-in-injury-scare-ahead-of-england-test) · 15 Aug 2026, 1:43 PM PKT · 84% identical wording to the newest filing - **Arab News Pakistan** — [Pakistan captain Babar in injury scare ahead of England opener](https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2654739/pakistan) · 15 Aug 2026, 10:08 AM PKT · 84% identical wording to the newest filing > London: Pakistan captain Babar Azam suffered an injury during the second day of a warm-up match ahead of next week’s first Test against England. Babar was forced to retire hurt on five during Friday’s second day of three against a Professional County Club Select XI after being hit on the right hand. A Pakistan spokesman said Babar will take no further part in the fixture, but added: “Babar will... - **Dunya News** — [Babar Azam advised rest after being hit on hand in Kent practice match](https://dunyanews.tv/en/Sports/968017-babar-azam-advised-rest-after-being-hit-on-hand-in-kent-practice-match) · 15 Aug 2026, 9:55 AM PKT · 77% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam was struck on the right hand during a practice match at Kent County Cricket Club and advised to rest, with training scheduled for Monday at Headingley. ### 14 Aug 2026 — Babar Azam sustains hand injury during practice match ahead of Test against England (4 outlets) > Most outlets reported that Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam was injured after being struck on the hand during a warm-up match ahead of the Test against England. Several emphasized that he was ruled out of the remainder of the practice match and required medical attention. The framing was largely consistent across the excerpts, with a focus on the timing of the injury and its potential impact on the upcoming Test. No outlets provided additional context or commentary beyond the injury and its immediate consequences. - **Dawn** — [Babar advised rest after hand injury in tour match](https://www.dawn.com/news/2022905/babar-advised-rest-after-hand-injury-in-tour-match) · 15 Aug 2026, 5:01 AM PKT > LONDON: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam was advised to take no further part in the team’s three-day practice match against the Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI on Friday after being struck on the right hand, the Pakistan Cricket Board said. According to the PCB, Babar was hit while batting on the second day of the match at the Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham. Following an assessm... - **Geo News** — [Pakistan captain Babar in injury scare ahead of England opener](https://www.geo.tv/latest/677661-pakistan-captain-babar-in-injury-scare-ahead-of-england-opener) · 14 Aug 2026, 10:39 PM PKT · 73% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan's captain Babar Azam makes field placings during third Test between Pakistan and England at National Stadium Karachi, December 18, 2022. — Reuters Pakistan captain Babar Azam suffered an injury on the second day of a warm-up match gainst Professional County Club ... - **24 News HD** — [Babar Azam leaves field after being hit on hand](https://www.24newshd.tv/14-Aug-2026/babar-azam-leaves-field-hit-hand) · 14 Aug 2026, 9:14 PM PKT · 81% identical wording to the newest filing > Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam left the field for medical attention after being hit on the hand while batting on the second day of the ongoing warm-up match between Pakistan and the PCC Select XI, 24NewsHD TV reported. - **Arab News Pakistan** — [Pakistan captain Babar in injury scare ahead of England opener](https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2654695/sport) · 14 Aug 2026, 11:08 AM PKT · 81% identical wording to the newest filing > LONDON: Pakistan captain Babar Azam suffered an injury during the second day of a warm-up match ahead of next week’s first Test against England. 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