​ENG vs PAK 1st Test predicted playing XI: Likely Pakistan and England lineups as Babar Azam remains doubtful originally appeared on Cricket News.
Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Joe Root leads England against Pakistan for the first time since 2022 in the post-Ben Stokes era.Jordan Cox is set to bat at number three with Jacob Bethell ruled out injured.Babar Azam remains doubtful for the match after a hand injury scare in the warm-up game.ENG vs PAK 1st Test playing XI: England begin new era at HeadingleyEngland begin their three-match Test series against Pakistan on August 19 at Headingley, with valuable World Test Championship 2025-27 points on offer as Joe Root takes charge for the first time since relinquishing the captaincy in 2022. It marks the start of the post-Ben Stokes era for the hosts.England head into the series under considerable pressure, having lost seven of their past nine Tests and gone without a series win since December 2024. They sit seventh in the World Test Championship standings, one place above Pakistan.Marcus Trescothick takes interim charge of the side, with newly appointed head coach Stephen Fleming not due to take over until the winter tour of South Africa. Root has already made his mark off the field, abolishing England’s midnight curfew in his first act as captain.Pakistan arrive in far better spirits after a comfortable seven-wicket win over a Professional County Club Select XI at Beckenham, where Saud Shakeel struck an unbeaten hundred and Imam-ul-Haq made 80. Babar Azam leads the tourists in his second stint as Test captain.MORE: Babar Azam injury: Availability and latest update on Pakistan captainWhy Jordan Cox is set to bat at three for EnglandThe most notable selection call in the England camp surrounds the number three position, where Jordan Cox has been handed the responsibility. The opportunity arrives after Jacob Bethell was ruled out of the entire series with a right knee injury sustained during the ODI series against India.It represents a significant promotion for Cox, who only made his Test debut against New Zealand at the Kia Oval in June, batting down at number seven. National selector Marcus North described him as one of the most exciting talents in English cricket.Dan Lawrence also returns to the Test side for the first time in two years after an exceptional County Championship season with Surrey, and is carded to bat at number six with Jamie Smith slotting in at seven. Emilio Gay retains his opening spot alongside Ben Duckett despite making a pair in the warm-up fixture, with his shoulder concerns having eased.England’s bowling combination remains the biggest question. Shoaib Bashir pushed his case with figures of 4 for 76 for the County Select XI, though the hosts could opt for four frontline seamers and rely on Lawrence and Root for spin.MORE: ‘We pull him down’: Azhar Mahmood slams treatment of Babar Azam & cites ‘lack of respectEngland’