Ben Stokes Replaced, RCB Batter At 3; England's Probable XI For 1st Test vs Pakistan, 2026

England have revealed who will replace Ben Stokes at number 6 [Source: AFP]

A fresh-look squad, a new captain, and a new series begin for England as the hosts will take on a confident-looking Pakistan team in the first Test match at Headingley, Leeds. Both teams are still in contention for a place in the WTC final, but the hosts will start as the firm favourites to capture the series.

Nothing has gone right for England in 2026 as they lost the Ashes against Australia, followed by an embarrassing home series defeat against New Zealand. Ben Stokes stepped down from the captaincy role, and the team made considerable changes in their squad for the Pakistan Tests.

Ahead of the riveting first Test, here is how the England side should lineup as they take on Pakistan in Headingley.

Openers and top order: Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jordan Cox

Ben Duckett: England does have plenty of issues heading into the first Test match, but Ben Duckett’s form is not one of those. The English hard-hitting batter scored a hundred against New Zealand in the 3rd Test match, and he carried the same form in The Hundred 2026.

He’ll once again be responsible for taking down the Pakistan new-ball bowling attack and setting the platform for the middle-order batters.

Emilio Gay: Gay flopped against the Kiwis, and he failed in the practice game against Pakistan, but expect the team management to back him, at least for the first Test match.

Gay will hope to perform under the new management and captain, as his career is on the line against Pakistan.

Jordan Cox: ECB has already confirmed that Jordan Cox will bat at number 3 in Jacob Bethell’s absence. The right-handed batter will aim to cement his position in the Test team as he aims for a big score in the first Test.

Middle order and all-rounders: Joe Root(c), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson

Joe Root: Newly appointed England captain Joe Root will continue to bat at number 4. He had an average Test series against New Zealand, and the skipper will hope to score truckloads of runs against Pakistan.

Harry Brook: Harry Brook has been in dream white-ball form, as showcased against India, and the talented batter will have the responsibility to win matches for England in the middle order against Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley.

Also Read: Harry Brook Reacts To Joe Root's Captaincy For 1st Time After Stating His Own Ambitions

Dan Lawrence: Just like Cox, ECB had already revealed that Dan Lawrence will bat at number 6, and the comeback man will replace Ben Stokes in his preferred batting position. Moreover, not only with the bat, but Root can also use him with the ball as he gives England an added advantage.

Jamie Smith: Jamie Smith will keep the wickets for England, and will bat at number 7 for them. However, the talented player will be under pressure to deliver the goods and keep his place in the red-ball team.

Gus Atkinson: Atkinson’s presence boosts England’s batting as he can bat at number 8 for them. Moreover, the right-arm seamer has been England’s best red-ball pacer since his Test debut, and the surface at Headingley will suit his style of bowling.

Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue

Jofra Archer: 2026 has been an outstanding year for Jofra Archer, and in the Test series against New Zealand, Archer bagged 11 wickets. Once again, he’ll aim to bamboozle the Pakistan batters up front with his short-of-a-length deliveries.

The Headingley wicket will have some grass on it, and Archer will hold the key for the hosts in the first Test match.

Ollie Robinson: Headingley remains the only England ground where pacers still dominate, and Ollie Robinson will bowl with the new ball alongside Archer. He can nip the ball both ways, and will be troublesome for the Pakistan batters in the early going of the Test match.

Josh Tongue: Each bowler picked in England’s playing XI has different skill sets, and so does Josh Tongue. He is fast and furious, and the right-arm seamer will look to extract extra bounce from the surface with his hit-the-deck deliveries.