Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has issued a strong warning to the Babar Azam-led Pakistan cricket team, cautioning them about the challenging conditions awaiting them in their upcoming three-Test series against England. Akhtar believes England will prepare seam-friendly pitches that will be "very difficult for Pakistan to handle". The first Test begins at Headingley in Leeds on August 19.[timesofindia+5]
Tough English Conditions Ahead
Akhtar emphasized that England will not repeat the mistakes made by the West Indies in their recent series against Pakistan. Pakistan drew that two-Test series 1-1, losing the first Test before making a strong comeback to win the second by eight wickets. However, Akhtar expects England to fully utilize their home advantage by preparing pitches designed to assist their seam bowlers and expose Pakistan's batting weaknesses.[timesofindia+9]
"England won't make the same mistake West Indies did that allowed Pakistan to get into a winning position. They'll prepare seam-friendly conditions, which will be very difficult for Pakistan to handle," Akhtar said in a recent interview, as quoted by Geo News. He expects the hosts to avoid giving Pakistan opportunities to take control of the matches.[timesofindia+4]
Babar Azam's Leadership Under Scrutiny
Babar Azam's return as Test captain has seen mixed results so far. His first assignment in the leadership role ended in a drawn series against the West Indies. This upcoming series against England will be a significant test for his captaincy and the team's ability to perform in challenging overseas conditions. Pakistan's red-ball side has historically struggled on overseas tours, and their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings reflects this. After losing the first Test against the West Indies, Pakistan dropped to the bottom of the WTC table before climbing to eighth with their second Test victory.[hindustantimes+7]
Akhtar has previously commented on Babar Azam's batting, suggesting he needs to decide if certain formats are for him. He also stated that if Babar plays, he should bat within the first six overs or open the innings. During a recent World Cup, Babar's performances were described as disappointing, including a single-digit score against India. Head coach Mike Hesson defended moving Babar to number four, citing the need for a pure batter in the middle overs, but former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez believes Babar must remain in the top three if he is to play.[cricket97+3]
Addressing Batting and Bowling Concerns
Akhtar has consistently highlighted Pakistan's batting frailties, especially on pitches with pace and movement. He criticized Pakistan batters after a dismal performance in an ODI series decider against the West Indies in August 2025, where three of the top four batters succumbed to ducks. He stressed that the team's mindset and technical deficiencies need an overhaul. "The ball moves a bit and they are in trouble," Akhtar noted. He also questioned the role of white-ball head coach Mike Hesson in the 50-over format, despite acknowledging him as a good T20 coach.[indianexpress+5]
Fitness of bowlers has also been a long-standing concern for Akhtar. As far back as May 2018, he raised issues about Pakistani bowlers' consistent performance due to fitness problems, especially in Test cricket where multiple spells are required in a day. He noted that many bowlers focus too much on T20 and 50-over matches, neglecting the fitness demands of Test cricket.[tribune+1]
The Road Ahead for Pakistan
The three-match Test series against England is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. The second Test will be played at Lord's from August 27 to 31, and the third Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham from September 9 to 13. Pakistan will play a four-day warm-up match against a Select XI from August 12 to 15 as part of their preparations.[timesofindia+3]
Akhtar has also expressed concerns about Pakistan's performance in major tournaments, noting that the team has missed out on semifinals in four consecutive ICC events, including the 2023 Cricket World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup, 2025 Champions Trophy, and 2026 T20 World Cup. He attributed these failures to issues within the board's system and overall management structure, and has previously criticized team selection. The legendary fast bowler believes Pakistan often gets "bogged down" when facing India in T20 World Cup matches, leading to losses despite having the talent to beat any team.[crictracker+3]
The upcoming England series will be a crucial test for Babar Azam and the Pakistan team to demonstrate their ability to adapt to challenging conditions and improve their standing in international cricket.
