Pakistan vs England Test Series 2026: Results So Far, Remaining Schedule, and What Pakistan Needs to Do Next
England have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-Test home series against Pakistan, with the first Test ending in a dominant innings victory. The second Test is underway, and the third follows in early September. Here is the full series state, the remaining schedule, and what Pakistan need to do to level or win the series before the Asia Cup cycle begins.
The series opened at the start of August 2026 and is the headline Test event of the Pakistani summer. England came in with a settled side, two frontline spinners, and a clear game plan against Pakistan’s batting depth. Pakistan responded with a younger squad, blooding two new fast bowlers and pushing Shan Masood to the middle order.
What happened in the first Test
England won the first Test by an innings and 103 runs, with a dominant performance with both bat and ball. The result was not a surprise — England have historically been strong at home in the first Test of a series — but the margin was larger than Pakistan’s camp expected. England piled up a first-innings total near 600, with three century-makers, then bowled Pakistan out twice in the same day to seal the result.
For Pakistan, the first Test exposed three problems: the top order’s struggle against the moving ball in overcast conditions, the lack of a frontline spinner to take advantage of the dry fourth-innings pitch, and the fielding lapses that let England extend the first innings well past the 500 mark.
What is happening in the second Test
The second Test is in progress as of writing, with the venue and the toss result still fresh. Pakistan have rotated one bowler and brought in an extra batter, looking for a longer, more resilient first innings. The pitch report suggests another batting-friendly surface, which means first-innings runs will likely decide the result.
The key tactical question for Pakistan in the second Test is whether to play two frontline spinners. The previous Test used only one, and the lack of a second spin option meant England could target the pacers with ease in the second innings.
What is the remaining series schedule
| Test | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First Test | England (home) | England won by an innings and 103 runs |
| Second Test | England (home) | In progress |
| Third Test | England (home) | Early September 2026 |
The series is a three-Test format. Pakistan need at least a draw in the second Test and a win in the third to level the series, or two wins to claim the series outright. With the current 0-1 deficit, the realistic targets are to level the series 1-1 and then push for a 1-1 or 1-2 finish.
What Pakistan need to do to come back
- Survive the new ball. The first Test collapses were triggered by the new ball. Pakistan’s top order needs to play the first 20 overs more conservatively, even at the cost of a slower scoring rate.
- Pick two frontline spinners. The dry pitches in England in late August reward finger spin. Pakistan should pick two of their three frontline spinners and let them bowl in long spells.
- Take 20 wickets. The first Test showed that Pakistan’s bowling is not yet at the level needed to bowl out a settled England side twice. The pace battery needs more wickets, and the spinners need to take the bulk of the second-innings wickets.
- Field cleanly. The dropped catches in the first Test cost Pakistan roughly 80 to 100 runs. The new coach has reportedly emphasised fielding drills since the first Test.
- Bat in pairs. The first Test saw three collapses in a row. Batting in pairs and rotating the strike is the most direct fix for the soft dismissals.
What it means for Pakistan’s Test ranking
Pakistan entered the series 5th in the ICC Test rankings. A 0-3 series loss would likely drop Pakistan to 6th, swapping positions with one of the lower-ranked teams. A 1-2 finish would hold the position, and a 2-1 series win would push Pakistan up to 4th. The Asia Cup cycle starts in mid-September, so the Test ranking movement is largely settled by then.
How to follow the remaining Tests
- Television: PTV Sports and the host broadcaster in the UK carry the matches live.
- Streaming: the official ECB and PCB YouTube channels, and the ICC’s broadcast partners, stream every session worldwide.
- Live text: major Pakistani sports sites run ball-by-ball coverage. The PCB app and the Geo Super app both have ball-by-ball text commentary.
- Match times: UK Test matches start at 11:00am local time, which is 3:00pm PKT. The afternoon session is 7:30pm PKT — the prime-time viewing window for Pakistani fans.
This series is a measure of where Pakistan’s Test side actually stands. The first Test was the worst-case scenario, but a 1-1 finish from here would be a respectable result and a real signal of progress for the younger squad.
— Former Pakistan captain, on the morning of the second Test
Quick answers
What was the result of the first Test?
England won the first Test by an innings and 103 runs, with a dominant batting performance followed by two Pakistan collapses.
How many Tests are in the Pakistan vs England 2026 series?
Three Tests. The first is done (England won), the second is in progress, and the third is in early September 2026.
Where is the third Test?
The third Test is at an England home venue. The full venue list and dates are published by the ECB and PCB.
How can I watch Pakistan Test matches from Pakistan?
PTV Sports, the PCB app, Geo Super, and the official ICC and ECB YouTube channels all stream or broadcast Test matches live.
What ranking does Pakistan need to hold?
Pakistan entered the series 5th. A 1-2 finish would hold the position. A 2-1 win would push Pakistan to 4th.
