Babar Azam says he’s ‘90%’ fit and set to return for Pakistan in 2nd test against England

LONDON (AP) — Pakistan captain Babar Azam is set to make his return to the team for the second test against England at Lord’s starting Thursday, despite not fully recovering from a finger injury.

Babar missed the first test, which England won by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley last week, because of the issue but has taken part in practice sessions at the home of cricket.

“Yes, 90% I’m fit for tomorrow’s match,” Babar said in a news conference on Wednesday.

Having Babar available again will be a huge boost to Pakistan. He averages 65.75 on English soil and 53.83 in 14 innings against England.

“We’re not playing up to the mark, the way the England team is playing,” Babar said of Pakistan, which was outplayed with bat and ball in a test at Headingley that didn’t reach Day 3. “But after that, we sat together and discussed our mistakes.

“And we just forget those things and look forward to tomorrow’s match.”

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Babar Azam says he's '90%' fit and set to return for Pakistan in 2nd test against England | iNFOnews.ca
Pakistan’s Babar Azam during a nets session in London, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, ahead the second Men’s Rothesay Cricket Test Match between England and Pakistan starting Thursday. (Ben Whitley/PA via AP)
Babar Azam says he's '90%' fit and set to return for Pakistan in 2nd test against England | iNFOnews.ca
Pakistan’s head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, left, and Babar Azam, right, attend a nets session in Leeds, England, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026 ahead of the in the first Men’s Rothesay Test Match between England and Pakistan starting Wednesday. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

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