Pakistan vs England 2nd Test: Babar Azam Returns as Pakistan Bowl First at Lord’s
Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bowl first against England in the second Test at Lord’s, making a bold decision that immediately puts the hosts under pressure. But the biggest headline is not the toss. It is the return of Babar Azam.
After missing Pakistan’s heavy defeat in the opening Test at Headingley because of a hand injury, Babar is back in the playing XI and straight into the middle of a must-win contest. Pakistan were beaten by an innings and 103 runs in the first Test, and another defeat would hand England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
For Pakistan, this is no longer just another Test match. This is a response opportunity.
England, meanwhile, will believe they have enough momentum to finish the job. Their first-Test performance was comprehensive, their bowling attack created relentless pressure, and their batting line-up capitalised on Pakistan's mistakes.
But Lord’s has historically been a different battlefield for Pakistan.
And that is where this second Test becomes particularly fascinating.
🔥 Pakistan Make Their Statement at the Toss
Pakistan captain Babar Azam called correctly at the toss and chose to bowl first.
It is an aggressive decision because Pakistan are effectively asking their bowlers to set the tone before their own batting unit walks into the spotlight.
At Lord’s, the first session could be crucial. England’s opening batters will be expected to deal with a fresh Pakistan pace attack, movement in the air and potentially helpful conditions for seam bowling.
Pakistan cannot afford another passive start.
The Headingley Test exposed significant weaknesses in their ability to withstand sustained pressure. England took control early and never allowed Pakistan to establish a meaningful response.
This time, Pakistan need wickets.
Early wickets would immediately change the mood of the contest and allow Babar and the middle order to enter the match with less pressure.
But if England survive the opening spell and build a substantial partnership, Pakistan could find themselves chasing the game once again.
👑 Babar Azam Returns at the Most Important Moment
The return of Babar Azam is unquestionably the biggest selection story.
Babar missed the first Test after suffering a bruised hand during Pakistan's preparation period. His absence was felt heavily as Pakistan struggled against England's attack.
Now the former Pakistan captain has returned to the side as captain, putting experience and class back into the middle order.
Babar's importance extends beyond his individual batting statistics.
He is one of Pakistan's most experienced Test batters, and his presence changes the psychological complexion of the batting order. England now have to plan for one of Pakistan's most technically accomplished players rather than attacking a comparatively inexperienced middle order.
The key question, however, is whether Babar is completely comfortable with his hand after the injury.
That will be one of the major talking points during the opening session.
If he bats confidently, Pakistan could receive the stability they desperately lacked at Headingley.
🏏 Pakistan's Playing XI Sends a Clear Message
Pakistan have made a significant change from the first Test, with Babar returning and Salman Ali Agha dropping out.
Pakistan's XI is:
Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (captain), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Abbas.
The selection places considerable responsibility on Babar, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan and the top order.
Pakistan will need their batting core to produce a completely different performance from Headingley.
There is no room for repeated collapses.
The first Test demonstrated how quickly England can turn pressure into domination. Pakistan therefore need partnerships rather than isolated contributions.
A century from one batter would be valuable, but two or three substantial partnerships could be even more important.
🦁 England Retain a Dangerous Combination
England have kept the same XI for the second Test.
Their side features Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith, Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.
The combination gives England plenty of batting depth alongside an intimidating pace attack.
Joe Root remains the central figure in England's batting structure. Harry Brook adds attacking intent, while the presence of Jamie Smith gives England another aggressive option lower down the order.
But the bowling unit could again be England's biggest weapon.
Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson give England different methods of attacking the Pakistan batters.
That variety matters enormously at Lord’s.
Pakistan cannot simply prepare for one type of bowler. They have to deal with pace, bounce, movement and changes of angle.
⚔️ The Lord’s Factor Could Change Everything
Pakistan's recent record in London provides genuine reason for optimism.
England and Pakistan have met 93 times in Test cricket, with England winning 31, Pakistan winning 23 and 39 matches ending in draws.
More importantly, Pakistan have enjoyed considerable success in London in recent years.
Pakistan defeated England at Lord’s in 2016 and again in 2018. They also won at The Oval in 2016.
That history does not guarantee victory, but it does demonstrate that Pakistan have previously handled the conditions and pressure of Test cricket in London.
The challenge is doing it again against an England team that currently has the momentum.
This is precisely why the toss decision becomes so important.
Pakistan have chosen to use the conditions first rather than allowing England's bowlers to attack them with a new ball later.
If the Pakistan fast bowlers exploit the early movement, the decision could look brilliant.
If England's openers dominate, the decision could quickly become a problem.
🎯 Cricketory Insight: Pakistan Must Attack, Not Simply Contain
From a Cricketory perspective, Pakistan's biggest requirement is not complicated: they have to be proactive.
The worst possible approach would be to bowl defensively and wait for England to make mistakes.
England's batting line-up is too capable for that strategy.
Pakistan should attack the stumps, create catching opportunities and keep slips in place when conditions justify it.
The opening spell could define the first phase of this Test.
If Pakistan can reduce England to something like 50-3, suddenly the pressure shifts.
Joe Root and Harry Brook would then have to rebuild rather than attack freely.
But if England reach 100 without losing a wicket, Pakistan could face another long day.
This is why the first 15 to 20 overs are potentially more important than any other period of the match.
🧠 Babar's Role Goes Beyond Scoring Runs
Babar's return should not be judged only by how many runs he scores.
His responsibility is enormous.
If Pakistan lose early wickets, Babar needs to provide resistance. If the openers establish a partnership, he needs to convert that platform. If England's bowlers begin attacking aggressively, he needs to absorb pressure without allowing the scoring rate to collapse.
That is the difference between simply returning to the XI and becoming the stabilising force Pakistan need.
Babar also has to make the most of his opportunity because Pakistan cannot afford another batting collapse.
The Headingley defeat has already placed enormous scrutiny on the team's batting.
A strong Babar innings at Lord’s could therefore have an impact far beyond the scorecard.
🏏 England Have the Momentum — But Pakistan Have the Motivation
England enter the second Test with a clear advantage.
They won the opening match by an innings and 103 runs, and their confidence should be high.
Pakistan, on the other hand, are coming into the contest after a damaging defeat.
But there is another side to that equation.
England are playing to win the series.
Pakistan are playing to stay alive.
That desperation can make a major difference in Test cricket.
Pakistan know that another defeat would put the series beyond them. A victory, however, would completely change the narrative and force the series into a deciding third Test.
That makes the Lord’s Test potentially one of the most important matches of the series.
💥 Pakistan's Batting Is Under the Microscope
The biggest concern remains Pakistan's batting.
Their form guide entering the Test is worrying, with Pakistan having won only one of their previous five Tests.
The return of Babar addresses one major weakness, but it does not magically solve the entire batting problem.
Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel all have important roles to play.
Pakistan need their top order to survive England's opening attack.
The middle order cannot repeatedly be asked to rescue the innings from disastrous positions.
If Pakistan reach lunch with only one or two wickets down, the entire match could develop differently from Headingley.
But another top-order collapse would immediately hand England the advantage.
⚡ Jofra Archer vs Babar Azam Could Be a Major Contest
One of the most intriguing battles will be between England's fast bowlers and Babar Azam.
Babar is technically strong, but England have the pace resources to test him aggressively.
Jofra Archer's pace can rush batters, while Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue offer different angles and lengths.
Babar will need to judge the ball carefully outside off stump and avoid chasing deliveries that do not need to be played.
This is where his Test experience becomes valuable.
He does not need to win every ball.
He needs to win the battle over long periods.
If Babar can survive the initial spell and establish himself, England's bowlers will eventually have to change their plans.
📊 Head-to-Head: England vs Pakistan in Tests
The overall Test record remains in England's favour.
Across 93 Tests, England have won 31 matches, Pakistan have won 23, while 39 have ended in draws.
However, historical numbers alone cannot explain this particular match.
The recent London record provides Pakistan with confidence, while England's Headingley victory gives the hosts the psychological edge.
The battle is therefore between Pakistan's historical success in London and England's current momentum.
🏟️ Why This Lord’s Test Matters So Much
Lord’s is not just another venue.
For Pakistan, it represents an opportunity to rewrite the story of the series.
They lost badly at Headingley.
They now have Babar back.
They won the toss.
They chose to bowl.
And they have a strong historical record in London.
Everything is set up for a response.
But none of those factors matter if Pakistan fail to execute.
Test cricket rewards discipline, patience and pressure management. Pakistan need all three.
England will not hand them an opportunity.
🔮 Cricketory Prediction: Who Has the Edge?
England deserve to start as the favourites after their dominant performance in the first Test.
Their confidence is high, their bowling attack is dangerous and their batting has already demonstrated that it can punish Pakistan's mistakes.
But Pakistan's chances are significantly better with Babar Azam back.
The toss also gives Pakistan an opportunity to attack England with a fresh ball.
Cricketory verdict: England have the momentum, but Pakistan have the stronger reason to fight. If Pakistan take early wickets, this could become a completely different Test. If England's top order survives the first session, the hosts could once again take control.
The first session may tell us almost everything about the direction of the match.
❓ FAQs: Pakistan vs England Second Test at Lord’s
Who won the toss in the second Test between Pakistan and England?
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Is Babar Azam playing in the second Test?
Yes. Babar Azam has returned to Pakistan's playing XI after missing the first Test because of a hand injury.
Why did Babar Azam miss the first Test?
Babar was ruled out after suffering a bruised hand during Pakistan's preparation before the Headingley Test.
Who was dropped from Pakistan's XI?
Salman Ali Agha has been left out of the playing XI following Babar Azam's return.
Where is the second Pakistan vs England Test being played?
The second Test is being played at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
What happened in the first Test?
England defeated Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley.
What is Pakistan's recent record in London against England?
Pakistan have won their last three Tests against England in London, including victories at Lord’s in 2016 and 2018 and at The Oval in 2016.
What is the overall England vs Pakistan Test record?
England have won 31 of their 93 Tests against Pakistan, while Pakistan have won 23. The remaining 39 matches have ended in draws.
Why is this Test crucial for Pakistan?
Pakistan must win to keep the three-match series alive. Another defeat would give England an unassailable 2-0 lead.
🏆 Final Cricketory Verdict
Pakistan have finally received the boost they desperately needed: Babar Azam is back, and Pakistan have chosen to attack England with the ball first at Lord’s.
But this is where the real test begins.
Pakistan cannot rely on Babar alone. They need their bowlers to strike early, their fielders to take every opportunity and their batting unit to show far greater resistance than it did at Headingley.
England have every reason to feel confident after their innings-and-103-run victory.
Pakistan have every reason to feel desperate.
And that combination makes this Lord’s Test extremely difficult to predict.
The message from Pakistan is clear: they are not prepared to simply accept the Headingley result.
Now they have to prove it on the field.