Babar Azam returns to training and confirms 90% fitness for second Test against England
Most outlets led with the likelihood of Babar Azam’s return for the second Test following his absence due to injury. Several also noted the possibility of Mohammad Rizwan being rested and a potential shift in the team’s spin combination. While the focus was largely uniform, a few mentions of the heavy defeat at Headingley appeared, with one outlet framing it as the reason for the team rethink.
How 10 outlets covered this — an automatically generated summary. Each outlet's own headline and excerpt are below.
How it developed
20 articles · 10 outlets
Thu
Babar Azam says he is 90% fit for crucial Lord's Test
1 outlet
Babar Azam says he is 90% fit for crucial Lord's Test
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Babar Azam says he is 90% fit for crucial Lord's Test
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has declared himself ready to return from injury and lead the side during the second Test against England at Lord’s, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday. Babar has been battling a hand injury and was forced to watch on from the sidelines as Pakistan suffered a mammoth innings and 103-run loss to England in the opening Test of the ICC World Test C...
Wed
Babar Azam returns to training and confirms 90% fitness for second Test against England
8 outlets
Babar Azam returns to training and confirms 90% fitness for second Test against England
Most outlets highlighted Babar Azam’s return to training and his confirmation that he is 90% fit for the second Test against England at Lord’s. Several also noted his participation in fielding and batting drills during Pakistan’s first training session at the venue. Geo News included a direct quote from Azam stating, “Fit for tomorrow's match,” while others focused on the team’s preparations and the timing of his return following his absence from the first Test.
How 8 outlets covered this — an automatically generated summary. Each outlet's own headline and excerpt are below.
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Pakistan captain Babar Azam returns against England '90pc fit'
Azam missed last week’s series opener at Headingley because of a finger injury
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Babar Azam declares himself 90 percent fit for sec...
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has declared himself “90 per cent fit” as he prepares to return to the side for the second Test against England
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Babar Azam Gives Fitness Update Ahead of Lord’s Test
Babar Azam will lead Pakistan in the second Test against England after recovering from hand injury. The second Test of…
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'90% fit': Babar Azam confirms availability for Lord's Test
Pakistan captain Babar Azam says he is nearing full fitness after a hand injury as the team prepares for the second Test against England at Lord’s. Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Babar said he had recovered around 90% and was continuing to train ahead of the match, which begins on August 27. “I had a couple of training sessions yesterday and, after this, I’m going for an...
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Pakistan captain Babar Azam returns against England '90pc fit'
Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Wednesday said he is “90 per cent fit” as he returns to lead his country in the second Test against England at Lord’s. Azam missed last week’s series opener at Headingley because of a finger injury, with the tourists thrashed by an innings and 103 runs in his absence as England went 1-0 up in a three-match campaign. The 31-year-old Azam was hit on the glove while ...
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Babar Azam returns to full training ahead of Lord’s Test
Pakistan have stepped up preparations for the second Test against England with their first training session at Lord’s following their arrival from Leeds.
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'Fit for tomorrow's match,' says Babar ahead of second England Test
Pakistan captain Babar Azam plays shot during second Test against West Indies in Trinidad on August 3, 2026. — AFP Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Wednesday provided an update on his fitness, saying that he has reached 90% recovery from a hand injury ahead of the second Test...
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Babar Azam says he’s ‘90 percent’ fit and set to return for Pakistan in 2nd test against England
LONDON: Pakistan captain Babar Azam is set to make his return to the team for the second test against England at Lord’s starting Thursday, despite not fully recovering from a finger injury. Babar missed the first test, which England won by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley last week, because of the issue but has taken part in practice sessions at the home of cricket. “Yes, 90 percent I’m fi...
Tue
Pakistan hopeful of Babar return at Lord’s for second England Test
3 outlets
Pakistan hopeful of Babar return at Lord’s for second England Test
Most outlets led with the news that Pakistan captain Babar Azam may return for the second Test against England at Lord’s following a positive training session. Arab News Pakistan attributed the update to bowling coach Umar Gul, while Geo News included a brief reference to a training session photo from Colombo. Both focused on the potential return but provided minimal additional context or detail.
How 3 outlets covered this — an automatically generated summary. Each outlet's own headline and excerpt are below.
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Babar Azam set to return for second Test against England at Lord’s
Pakistan captain Babar Azam is set to return to the playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord’s after completing a positive training session, bowling coach Umar Gul said.
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Pakistan hopeful of Babar return at Lord's for second England test
Pakistan's Babar Azam bats during their training session at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on February 6, 2026. — X/TheRealPCB Pakistan captain Babar Azam could return for the second test against England at Lord's after coming through a positive training session as he...
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Pakistan hopeful of Babar return at Lord’s for second England Test
Pakistan captain Babar Azam could return for the second test against England at Lord’s after coming through a positive training session as he continues his recovery from a finger injury, bowling coach Umar Gul said on Tuesday. Babar, who injured his finger during the West Indies series before aggravating the problem after being struck during Pakistan’s warm-up match at Beckenham, misse...
Sun
Pakistan considers team changes for second Test against England at Lord’s
6 outlets
Pakistan considers team changes for second Test against England at Lord’s
Most outlets led with the likelihood of Babar Azam’s return for the second Test, while also noting that Mohammad Rizwan may be rested and that the team is considering a two-spinner combination. The Nation and Pakistan Observer framed the changes as a response to a "rout" and "heavy defeat," respectively, while other outlets like Geo News and Business Recorder provided more neutral phrasing. ARY News and Dunya News focused more on the general possibility of changes without emphasizing the result of the first Test.
How 6 outlets covered this — an automatically generated summary. Each outlet's own headline and excerpt are below.
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Babar’s return looms as Pakistan rethink XI after Headingley rout
LONDON - Pakistan are considering several changes to their playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord’s, with Babar Azam expected to return after missing the series opener through injury.
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Babar’s Return, Rizwan’s Rest in Focus Ahead of Lord’s Test
Pakistan are weighing changes to their playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord’s after a heavy defeat…
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Babar Azam likely to return as Pakistan consider changes for Lord's Test
Pakistan are considering changes to their playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord’s, with star batter Babar Azam likely to return after missing the series opener due to injury, local media reported on Sunday. The second Test of the three-match series is scheduled to begin at Lord’s in London on August 27. According to local media reports, the team management is hopeful that Babar...
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Babar Azam likely to return as Pakistan 'weigh changes' for second England Test
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha walks off the field after stumps during the first Test against England at Headingley in Leeds on August 20, 2026. — ReutersMohammad Rizwan could be rested for second Test: sources.Pakistan 'consider' two spinners, Ubaid Shah for Lord’s.Agha...
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Pakistan team likely to see changes for Lord's Test against England
Pakistan are considering changes for the Lord’s Test after a heavy Leeds defeat, with Babar Azam’s return, Mohammad Rizwan’s rest and a two-spinner combination under review
20 articles from 10 outlets over 4 developments, 23 Aug–27 Aug 2026. Headlines and links belong to their outlets — HarZaviya links out and never copies article text. What does % identical mean?