Babar Azam's Test Record In England: Why Is His Injury A Big Blow For Pakistan?

Babar Azam has performed consistently in England [Source: AFP]

Pakistan will kickstart their tour of England on August 19, as both teams will cross swords in a highly anticipated Test match at Headingley. Led by Babar Azam, Pakistan are scheduled to play three Test matches in England in August-September. 

Babar Azam recently replaced Shan Masood as the captain of the Pakistan Test team. The Lahore-born had an impressive start to his second captaincy stint, leading his team to a fighting draw in the West Indies. 

The England tour will be a litmus test for Babar and his men, as they will play a Test in English conditions for the first time in six years. However, in a major setback, the right-handed batter is doubtful for the first Test after sustaining a hand injury in the warm-up encounter. 

As Babar races against time to get fit for the series opener, here's a look at his Test performance in England over the years. 

Babar Azam's Test record in England: What do the numbers tell?

(Babar Azam's Test record in England)

As evidenced by the data in the table above, Babar Azam has played four Tests in England, scoring 263 runs across six innings. Babar Azam's Test record in England suggests an impressive average of 65.75, with three half-centuries in just six innings. 

Thus, Babar Azam's overall performance in England has been brilliant so far, and it will be a big blow to Pakistan if the batter fails to recover in time. 

Also Read: Not Babar Azam! Shoaib Akhtar Picks Pakistan's Virat Kohli

Babar Azam's Test record in England across different venues

Babar Azam's Test record in England reveals that the Pakistani cricketer has played four matches across three venues: Lord's, Old Trafford, and Southampton. 

He has batted once at Lord's, playing an unbeaten knock of 68 runs, while maintaining a superb average of 60.50 after three innings at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Babar has a decent record at the Old Trafford, averaging 37 after two innings. 

Pakistan are set to play the first and third Tests of the 2026 England tour at Headingley and Edgbaston, and, interestingly, Babar Azam has yet to play a Test at either venue. 

Babar Azam's conversion rate in England needs improvement

Babar Azam's Test record in England shows that the batter has taken only two innings to slam a half-century on English soil. However, interestingly, Babar has failed to convert any of those scores into centuries. 

While Babar has converted 21.42 per cent of his fifty-plus scores into hundreds in Test cricket, he has yet to register a century on English soil in the longest format. The last time Pakistan toured England, Shan Masood and Abid Ali were rock-solid as openers, and Azhar Ali strengthened the middle order alongside Babar, Asad Shafique, and Mohammad Rizwan. 

However, fast forward to 2026, the tourists have several players who will be exposed to the English conditions for the very first time. Azan Awais is a newbie in Tests, while Salman Ali Agha and Rizwan have been inconsistent with the bat in seam-friendly conditions. 

Shan Masood is at the fag end of his cricketing career. In such a scenario, the Pakistani team will heavily rely on Babar Azam's experience to give the English bowlers a run for their money. 

So, if he receives the fitness clearance to play the Headingley Test, Babar would like to make an immediate impact with a big score and improve his conversion rate, which has been his Achilles heel in England. 

Also Read: Australia Squad Vs Bangladesh For 2nd Test Announced; Matt Renshaw Returns