Joe Root returns as England Test captain for series against Pakistan
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 18, 2026, 5:00 AM
Last updated Aug 18, 2026

Joe Root has been reappointed as England's Test captain ahead of the series against Pakistan starting at Headingley. His return comes following a disappointing stretch where England recorded only one win in 17 matches. Root is tasked with leading a new-look team that features several players taking on unfamiliar roles. Pakistan's team arrives in England after a challenging series in the West Indies, and their captain Babar Azam faces a fitness concern after sustaining a hand injury in a warm-up match. Both teams aim to improve their standings in the World Test Championship.
- •Joe Root begins his second stint as England Test captain
- •First Test against Pakistan starts at Headingley
- •Root aims to improve on a record of one win in 17 games
- •Babar Azam may be a fitness concern for Pakistan
- •Pakistan's prior series in the West Indies was poorly attended
- 5:00 AMYahoo Sports — The risk attached to Joe Root’s return to England captaincy
"A series against Pakistan is a relatively kind start to a new era but England risk burdening their returning Test skipper
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