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England vs Pakistan 2nd Test Preview & Tips – Pakistan to slump to another Test defeat at the hands of England

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Pakistan are 1-0 down in the three-match series
Babar Azam averages 77.00 in Tests with the bat in 2026
Preview, stats & head to head

Pakistan's Babar Azam (Getty Images)

England vs Pakistan 2nd Test Preview & Tips
Head To Head
England Form
Pakistan Form

England vs Pakistan 2nd Test Preview & Tips

England’s bowling attack was at it’s potent best in the first Test as the home side tore through Pakistan’s fragile batting unit.

Pakistan will hope the potential return of Babar Azam will help to bolster a batting unit that was torn apart at will in the first Test.

Babar Azam has scored 68, 47, 23, 58 not out, 88 and 24 not out this year

Head To Head

England have won six of the last 10 Tests between the pair, with Pakistan winning twice and two games ending as draws.

England Form

England were superb across their first Test against Pakistan. From Joe Root winning the toss and choosing to bowl to Jofra Archer taking the final wicket of the match, England were outstanding, with this a welcome return to winning ways in Test cricket.

The likes of Ollie Robinson (8/80), Josh Tongue (8/89), Jordan Cox (73), Harry Brook, (91), Joe Root (66) and Dan Lawrence (51) all starred, with England’s rejigged starting XI in fine form. While Pakistan did not put up much of a fight, this also came as England were at their rip-roaring best.

Following on from their pair of defeats to New Zealand back in June, this was a strong performance. The focus now has to be on building on one good performance with another. England had issues with building on their 115-run win over New Zealand as they lost the next two Tests. Fortunately for England, Pakistan are not in the same bracket as New Zealand, meaning they will be the side most back to win this one.

Pakistan Form

Pakistan were not able to get close to England in the first Test as they were given a lesson in bowling in English conditions.

Losing the toss and being inserted to bowl was not ideal, but Pakistan hardly helped themselves as they gave wickets away as one wicket invariably became two. With the ball, Pakistan lacked any real pace. This, coupled with a lack of control and discipline with the ball saw England easily post what proved an insurmountable score of 409.

Trying to find a way to make the most out of bowler friendly conditions or counter-attacking England when Pakistan are batting is key. Babar Azam’s potential return will be crucial as the touring side will hope that he can provide a consistent run-scoring outlet. However, solving the woes of a side that scored 171 and 135 will not be easy.

While I back Babar to return to the side with runs, I do not see this making much of a difference. The gulf in quality between the two nations is massive, and I predict that the touring side will slump to another defeat.

Verdict

England v Pakistan 2nd Test

I am backing Babar Azam to score runs on his return to the side despite Pakistan sliding to another defeat.

England

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