England vs Pakistan Prediction, 2nd Test – Pakistan Tour of England 2026
England vs Pakistan prediction for the second Test of the Pakistan tour of England 2026 strongly favours England after the hosts produced a dominant performance in the opening match at Headingley. The three-match series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27, and the second Test will be played at Lord’s from August 27 to 31. England currently lead the series 1-0.
England won the first Test by an innings and 103 runs inside three days. Pakistan were dismissed for 171 and 135, while England scored 409 in their only innings, securing a massive 238-run first-innings advantage.
The victory was particularly significant because it marked Joe Root’s return as England’s full-time Test captain following Ben Stokes’ retirement. Root’s leadership began with an emphatic result, while England’s pace attack demonstrated excellent control in helpful conditions.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue were the outstanding bowlers at Headingley. Both claimed eight wickets in the match, while Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson also contributed to an attack that dismissed Pakistan twice.
England’s batting was equally convincing. Harry Brook scored 91, Joe Root made 66, Jordan Cox contributed 72, and Dan Lawrence scored 51 after returning to the Test side. The combination of experience and younger players gave England enough depth to build a substantial total.
Pakistan, meanwhile, have several questions to answer before Lord’s. Their top order struggled badly in Leeds, and the team suffered its ninth defeat in its last ten away Tests, according to Reuters.
There is nevertheless an important potential boost for Pakistan. Babar Azam missed the first Test because of a right-hand injury, but the team had hoped he could return for the Lord’s match. His availability could significantly strengthen Pakistan’s batting and leadership.
Lord’s presents a different challenge from Headingley. England will expect movement from the new ball, while Pakistan’s seamers will need to improve their accuracy and create sustained pressure against a confident home batting lineup.
For Pakistan, this is effectively a must-win Test if they want to keep the three-match series alive. England, on the other hand, can move to the brink of a series victory with another strong performance.
The weather may also influence the contest. Current Met Office forecasts indicate showers around the opening day, meaning interruptions are possible.
Match Details
| Match | England vs Pakistan, 2nd Test |
|---|---|
| Date | 27th–31st August 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM BST / 3:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Lord’s Cricket Ground, London |
| Tournament | Pakistan Tour of England 2026 |
| Format | Test |
| WTC Cycle | ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 |
| Series Score | England lead 1–0 |
The official schedule lists the Lord’s Test from August 27 to 31.
Team Preview
England Team Preview
England enter the Lord’s Test with enormous confidence after their innings-and-103-run victory at Headingley. The result was not dependent on one individual performance; rather, England controlled the match through their batting, bowling and fielding.
Joe Root’s return to the captaincy could not have started better. The experienced batter scored 66 in the first Test and also became the Test-format record holder for catches after taking another catch against Pakistan. His tactical decisions were important during Pakistan’s collapses.
Harry Brook remains one of England’s most important batting weapons. He scored 91 at Headingley and continued his remarkable record against Pakistan. Reuters reported that his average against Pakistan had risen above 85 after his latest innings.
Jordan Cox also provided an encouraging contribution. Replacing the injured Jacob Bethell, Cox scored 72 in his Test debut and formed an important partnership with Dan Lawrence. Lawrence, recalled after an extended absence from Test cricket, responded with a half-century.
England’s major strength, however, is their pace attack. Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue each took eight wickets in the first Test, while Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson supplied additional pace and pressure. The quartet dismissed Pakistan’s batting lineup twice without requiring spin.
Robinson’s return is particularly significant. He claimed five wickets in Pakistan’s first innings and three more in the second, earning Player of the Match honours. Tongue also produced two outstanding spells and demonstrated why England consider him a major Test bowling option.
England’s batting does have some areas that need monitoring. Jamie Smith has yet to produce the same impact as some of his teammates, while the opening combination will be tested again if Lord’s offers substantial movement.
The squad is also operating without Jacob Bethell, who has been ruled out of the Pakistan series with a knee injury. Jordan Cox was selected as his replacement for the first two Tests.
England have retained a 16-player squad for the first two Tests, with Dan Lawrence returning after strong County Championship form. The squad also includes Shoaib Bashir, Matthew Fisher and Sam Cook, giving the selectors several options if conditions or workload require changes.
Overall, England have greater momentum, stronger seam-bowling depth and a batting unit that already understands how to attack Pakistan’s bowling. Their biggest challenge will be avoiding complacency after such a one-sided opening Test.
Pakistan Team Preview
Pakistan arrive at Lord’s under significant pressure after their heavy defeat at Headingley. Losing by an innings and 103 runs exposed problems in both batting stability and bowling consistency, particularly in English conditions.
The first major issue is Pakistan’s top order. Abdullah Shafique was the team’s best first-innings batter with 61, while Imam-ul-Haq made 42. However, the remainder of the lineup struggled to build partnerships against England’s seamers.
The second innings was even more difficult. Pakistan were bowled out for only 135, with Mohammad Rizwan’s 41 and Shan Masood’s 29 among the more useful contributions. The collapse left the bowlers with almost no opportunity to put England under sustained pressure.
Babar Azam’s possible return is therefore extremely important. He missed the first Test because of a right-hand injury suffered during the warm-up match before the series. Pakistan had indicated that he could be considered for the second Test if medical advice allowed him to return.
If Babar is fit, his presence would add experience to a batting group that struggled against England’s pace attack. He would also strengthen Pakistan’s middle order and provide greater leadership stability.
Salman Ali Agha captained Pakistan in Babar’s absence and made 21 in the first innings. He will remain an important all-round contributor even if Babar returns, particularly because Pakistan need additional runs from their middle order.
Pakistan’s bowling department showed one significant positive in Leeds. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman took five wickets for 92 runs, proving that he can exploit conditions when he gets sufficient assistance. Khurram Shahzad also claimed three wickets.
However, the seam attack needs considerable improvement. England’s batters were able to build partnerships once the initial movement disappeared, and Pakistan struggled to maintain pressure with the older ball.
Mohammad Abbas remains an experienced option and could become particularly useful at Lord’s if the surface offers conventional swing. Ubaid Shah and Mohammad Ali provide additional pace choices.
Pakistan also have to improve their batting approach. Their first-innings total of 171 was not enough to put England under pressure, and the second-innings collapse showed that the visitors need to bat for substantially longer periods.
The psychological challenge is equally important. Pakistan are coming off a series draw against West Indies but have now suffered a heavy away defeat in England.
Lord’s gives Pakistan another opportunity because conditions can reward disciplined seam bowling. If Babar returns, the top order settles and the bowlers exploit the new ball, Pakistan can make the second Test significantly more competitive.
Team Squads
England Squad
- Joe Root (Captain)
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- Shoaib Bashir
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- Sam Cook
- Jordan Cox
- Ben Duckett
- Matthew Fisher
- Emilio Gay
- Dan Lawrence
- Ollie Pope
- Ollie Robinson
- Jamie Smith
- Josh Tongue
Jacob Bethell is unavailable for the series because of a right-knee injury.
Pakistan Squad
- Babar Azam
- Aamir Jamal
- Abdullah Fazal
- Ali Usman
- Azan Awais
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Khurram Shahzad
- Mohammad Abbas
- Mohammad Ali
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Muhammad Awais Zafar
- Muhammad Ghazi Ghori
- Sajid Khan
- Salman Ali Agha
- Saud Shakeel
- Shan Masood
- Ubaid Shah
Pakistan’s England squad was originally announced as a 17-member group, with Saud Shakeel subject to fitness.
Probable Playing XI
| England | Pakistan |
| Ben Duckett | Imam-ul-Haq |
| Emilio Gay | Abdullah Shafique |
| Jordan Cox | Babar Azam* |
| Joe Root (C) | Shan Masood |
| Harry Brook | Saud Shakeel |
| Dan Lawrence | Salman Ali Agha |
| Jamie Smith (WK) | Mohammad Rizwan (WK) |
| Jofra Archer | Aamir Jamal |
| Gus Atkinson | Ali Usman |
| Ollie Robinson | Khurram Shahzad |
| Josh Tongue | Mohammad Abbas |
*Babar Azam’s selection is subject to medical clearance following the right-hand injury that kept him out of the first Test.
ENG vs PAK Dream11 Prediction
| Role | Players |
| WK | Mohammad Rizwan, Jamie Smith |
| Batters | Joe Root, Harry Brook, Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique |
| All-rounders | Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal |
| Bowlers | Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer |
The fantasy strategy for this Test should focus heavily on top-order batters and wicket-taking fast bowlers. Lord’s can provide assistance to seamers, and England’s attack demonstrated in Leeds that Pakistan’s batting can be vulnerable when the ball moves.
Joe Root is one of the safest batting selections because of his experience, consistency and ability to score heavily in home conditions. Harry Brook is another strong option after his 91 in the first Test and his exceptional record against Pakistan.
Babar Azam should be considered if he receives medical clearance. His selection carries some fitness risk, but his experience makes him an important fantasy option if he is confirmed in the XI.
Mohammad Rizwan offers wicketkeeping points alongside batting potential, while Jamie Smith provides an alternative route to fantasy points through both disciplines.
The bowling section is dominated by England because Robinson and Tongue were outstanding at Headingley. Both took eight wickets in the match, making them particularly attractive Test fantasy selections.
Jofra Archer is another high-upside selection because of his pace and ability to take early wickets.
For Pakistan, Salman Ali Agha and Aamir Jamal provide all-round potential, which can be valuable in a five-day fantasy contest.
Captain options:
- Joe Root: Reliable run-scoring potential plus leadership responsibility.
- Ollie Robinson: Eight wickets in the first Test make him a high-upside bowling captain.
Vice-Captain options:
- Harry Brook: Strong recent performance and an excellent record against Pakistan.
- Josh Tongue: Eight wickets in the opening Test and strong conditions for seam bowling.
Players to avoid:
- Jamie Smith: His recent batting output has been modest, although his wicketkeeping still offers points.
- Ali Usman: He took five wickets in Leeds, but his fantasy value could be more conditions-dependent at Lord’s.
Disclaimer: Dream11 selections are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Fantasy points are not guaranteed, and users should make responsible decisions based on confirmed playing XIs and current team news.
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team Today
England are the favourite team for the second Test.
The hosts have the strongest possible momentum after defeating Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs in the opening match. Their pace attack took all 20 wickets, while the batting unit produced 409 in challenging English conditions.
England also have the advantage of playing at Lord’s, where their seamers should be able to exploit any early movement. Joe Root’s return to captaincy has also started positively.
Pakistan’s potential advantage is the possible return of Babar Azam. His presence would improve the batting balance considerably.
However, Pakistan need a major improvement from their top order and seam attack. Until they demonstrate that improvement, England remain the more complete side.
Favourite: England
England Test History
| England Test Record | Figure |
| Matches Played | 1,095 |
| Won | 405 |
| Lost | 334 |
| Drawn | 356 |
| Win % | 36.99% |
England are Test cricket’s most experienced team by match volume, with more than 1,000 Tests played and over 400 victories. Their historical record reflects sustained competitiveness across eras.
Record updated to include the first Test of the 2026 Pakistan series; win percentage calculated from matches played.
Pakistan Test History
| Pakistan Test Record | Figure |
| Matches Played | 468 |
| Won | 152 |
| Lost | 150 |
| Drawn | 166 |
| Win % | 32.48% |
Pakistan have a long Test history and have produced major successes at home and overseas. Their overall record remains competitive, although recent away results have been a concern.
Record updated to include the first Test of the 2026 England series.
Head-to-Head Stats
| England vs Pakistan Test Head-to-Head | England | Pakistan |
| Total Matches | 93 | 93 |
| Wins | 31 | 23 |
| Drawn | 39 | 39 |
| Tied | 0 | 0 |
England have the better overall Test record against Pakistan, with 31 victories compared with Pakistan’s 23 after the opening Test of the 2026 series. Thirty-nine matches between the teams have ended in draws.
The historical advantage therefore belongs to England, although the rivalry has produced many competitive matches. Pakistan’s most recent Test series victory over England came in the 2024 series, when Pakistan won the second and third Tests after England won the opener.
Pitch Report
Lord’s traditionally offers assistance to seamers, particularly during the early stages of a Test when the Dukes ball can move through the air and off the surface. The first session could therefore be difficult for openers if there is cloud cover.
As the pitch settles, batting should become more manageable. The surface is unlikely to be purely bowler-friendly throughout five days, meaning technically sound batters can build substantial scores.
England’s pace attack has already shown excellent control against Pakistan. If Lord’s provides similar movement, Robinson, Tongue, Archer and Atkinson could again become decisive.
Pakistan’s bowlers will need to attack the top of off stump consistently and avoid giving England’s aggressive batters easy scoring opportunities.
Weather Report
| Factor | Forecast for 27 August |
| Temperature | Around 19–25°C |
| Humidity | Approximately 60–90% |
| Rain Chance | Around 50–60% during parts of the day |
| Condition | Light showers and cloudy intervals |
The current Met Office forecast for London indicates a mild opening day with temperatures reaching around 24–25°C. Showers are possible through the morning and afternoon, so weather interruptions remain a factor.
Broadcast Details
In the UK, the England vs Pakistan Test series is being shown live on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming available through NOW. In India, coverage is available on the Sony Sports Network, with online streaming through SonyLIV. The Lord’s Test is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM UK time / 3:30 PM IST on August 27.
Toss Strategy
If England wins the toss
England should bowl first if there is visible cloud cover or moisture around the surface.
Their pace attack is currently in excellent form, and an early spell from Robinson, Tongue and Archer could expose Pakistan’s top order before the pitch becomes easier for batting.
A few early wickets would allow England to control the Test from the first session.
If Pakistan wins the toss
Pakistan should also consider bowling first, particularly if conditions are overcast.
Their best route back into the series is to attack England’s top order with the new ball. If they can remove Duckett, Gay, Root and Brook early, the pressure on England’s middle order would increase significantly.
If the pitch looks particularly good for batting, Pakistan could instead choose to bat first and attempt to put a large total on the board.
Toss Prediction
England are predicted to prefer bowling first if they win the toss at Lord’s. The possibility of early movement makes the new ball extremely valuable, especially against a Pakistan batting order that struggled at Headingley. Pakistan should adopt a similar strategy if conditions are cloudy. However, if the surface looks dry and firm, batting first becomes more attractive because building a substantial total can remove pressure from the middle and lower order. Weather will be an important final consideration.
Toss prediction: Team winning the toss likely to bowl first.
Score Prediction
| Team | Predicted Score |
| England – 1st innings | 350–420 |
| Pakistan – 1st innings | 220–300 |
| England – 2nd innings | 180–250 |
| Pakistan – 2nd innings | 230–300 |
The projection assumes a reasonably competitive five-day contest. A major weather interruption could significantly alter these ranges and increase the possibility of a draw.
Probable Batsmen & Bowlers
| Team | Key Batsmen | Key Bowlers |
| England | Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Dan Lawrence | Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer |
| Pakistan | Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan | Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad, Ali Usman |
Joe Root and Harry Brook are England’s major batting threats after scoring 66 and 91 respectively in the opening Test. Jordan Cox also impressed with 72 on debut.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue are the obvious bowling players to watch after collecting eight wickets each at Headingley.
For Pakistan, Abdullah Shafique’s 61 was the best first-innings score, while Mohammad Rizwan top-scored in the second innings with 41. Ali Usman provided the main bowling positive by taking five wickets.
Winning Chances — England vs Pakistan
| Team | Winning Chance | Why | Why Not |
| England | 72% | 1-0 series lead, dominant first-Test performance, stronger pace attack and home advantage | Possible rain, Babar’s potential return and different Lord’s conditions |
| Pakistan | 28% | Potential Babar return, experienced players and ability to exploit early movement | Major batting collapse in Leeds and inconsistent bowling |
These percentages are editorial projections based on current form, team news, conditions and the first-Test result. They are not official bookmaker or statistical-model probabilities.
Why Win 72%? Factors
| Factor | England | Pakistan | Advantage |
| Batting depth | Strong | Improved if Babar returns | England |
| Pace bowling | Excellent | Needs improvement | England |
| Spin bowling | Secondary option | Ali Usman offers variety | England |
| Recent form | Won by innings and 103 runs | Heavy defeat | England |
| Home advantage | Strong | Away team | England |
| Head-to-head | 31 wins | 23 wins | England |
| Current series | Lead 1–0 | Trail 0–1 | England |
| Key player availability | Strong squad depth | Babar fitness remains important | England |
| Weather | Possible interruptions | Possible interruptions | Neutral |
| Overall momentum | Very high | Under pressure | England |
Key Player Matchups
| Matchup | Why It Could Decide the Test |
| Harry Brook vs Mohammad Abbas | Brook’s attacking style will be tested against Abbas’ experience and ability to extract movement with the new ball. |
| Joe Root vs Ali Usman | Root’s ability to control spin could determine whether Pakistan’s main spinner can create sustained pressure. |
| Babar Azam vs Ollie Robinson | If Babar returns, his technique against Robinson’s movement could become one of the most important contests of the Test. |
Match Prediction
England are predicted to defeat Pakistan in the second Test at Lord’s and take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Their first-Test performance was dominant, with England scoring 409 and dismissing Pakistan for 171 and 135.
The pace combination of Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Jofra Archer gives England the biggest advantage. Joe Root and Harry Brook also enter the match with strong batting momentum.
Pakistan’s chances improve substantially if Babar Azam returns fit, but the visitors still need a major improvement from their top order.
Prediction: England to win the 2nd Test.
Expected result: England by 100+ runs or by an innings, subject to weather and Babar Azam’s availability.
What Could Prove Us Wrong?
The biggest threat to this prediction is the weather. Current forecasts indicate a meaningful possibility of showers on the opening day, and further interruptions during the Test could reduce England’s opportunity to force a result.
Babar Azam’s return could also substantially change the balance. Pakistan’s batting was one of the biggest weaknesses at Headingley, and a fit Babar would add experience and stability.
Lord’s may also behave differently from Headingley. If the pitch offers less seam movement than expected, Pakistan’s batting could have more time to settle and the advantage of England’s pace attack could reduce.
Another possibility is a Pakistan bowling resurgence. Ali Usman took five wickets in the first Test, while Khurram Shahzad claimed three. If Pakistan’s seamers combine better with their spinner, England’s top order could face sustained pressure.
Finally, England could be affected by complacency. A dominant first-Test victory does not guarantee another easy result. Pakistan have enough international experience to respond strongly, particularly if they make effective tactical and selection changes.
Overall: England remain the clear favourite, but rain, Babar Azam’s fitness, Lord’s conditions and an improved Pakistan bowling performance are the major factors that could overturn the prediction.
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