The uncertainty surrounding Babar Azam’s availability for the Headingley Test was resolved on Tuesday afternoon when head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed the star batsman will miss the series opener against England.

According to Sarfaraz, Babar is still experiencing discomfort from an injury sustained during last week’s warm-up match in Kent. However, the coach expressed optimism that he would be fit for the second Test at Lord’s, which begins on 27 August.

In Babar’s absence, Salman Ali Agha will captain the side for the first time. Sarfaraz also confirmed that Shan Masood, who fractured his finger during the first Test in Tarouba, has regained fitness and is available for selection.

Babar’s absence is a massive blow for a Pakistan side that was building momentum after impressive performances in the Port of Spain Test and against a Professional County Cricket Selection XI. His own form had been improving, with recent scores of 23, 58 not out, 88, and 24 not out since reclaiming the captaincy, though a tenth Test century remains elusive. This isn’t the first time an England tour has been disrupted for Babar; in 2018, his tour was cut short by a fractured hand. In his four Tests in England, he has scored 263 runs, including three half-centuries.

For Salman Ali Agha, this Test marks his captaincy debut. Long considered Babar’s deputy, the PCB never made an official vice-captaincy announcement, sparking unnecessary debate. While he has a 31-18 win-loss record from 50 T20Is as captain, his Test form is under scrutiny. Salman has scored 1,683 runs in 27 Tests, but his last century was 12 matches ago.

After a forgettable warm-up game in Kent (scoring 14 and 6), the additional pressure of leadership will be a significant test.

There was better news regarding Shan Masood, who has been declared fit. His gutsy century in Tarouba was a highlight before his injury. Masood also brings valuable experience in English conditions, having scored 156 at Old Trafford on the 2020 tour and represented four different counties.

Despite Masood’s return and Saud Shakeel’s recent form, Pakistan faces a selection dilemma. They must find a batting combination to compensate for Babar’s loss and assemble a bowling attack capable of taking 20 wickets. The inclusion of all-rounder Aamir Jamal is being considered, but his batting position remains a key question. Playing him at number seven would strengthen the bowling but could leave the batting thin.

Headingley itself presents a formidable challenge. Pakistan has won only one of their last ten Tests at the venue and now faces an England side in transition.

England have endured a difficult year, losing the Ashes 4-1 and a home series to New Zealand. With Brendon McCullum having stepped down, Marcus Trescothick is serving as interim coach before Stephen Fleming takes permanent charge. The team is also navigating the post-Ben Stokes era, with Joe Root returning as captain. Root’s task is to stabilise the side without completely abandoning the aggressive “Bazball” philosophy.

This series is therefore crucial for both teams. England’s formidable top order, featuring Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, and a returning Ollie Pope, will be tested. Meanwhile, their pace battery of Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, and Gus Atkinson will look to exploit any weakness in Pakistan’s line-up.

With both teams sitting in the lower half of the ICC World Test Championship table, this series is a critical opportunity to build for the future.

SQUADS (to be selected from):

ENGLAND: Joe Root (c), 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.

PAKISTAN: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah.