Root Begins Second Stint as England Captain, Pakistan Turn to Salman Agha as Babar Sits Out

A new era begins for England as the three-Test series against Pakistan gets underway today at Headingley. It's the hosts' first Test assignment since Joe Root took over the captaincy again following Ben Stokes' retirement, marking the start of his second stint in charge of the side.

Root already holds the record for the most Tests captained by an England player, with 64 in his first spell plus an interim game against New Zealand in June. A full run through to the next Ashes would take him level with Stephen Fleming's 80, third on the all-time list.

Pakistan arrive without their own captain. Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opener with a right-hand injury picked up during the tour warm-up game, the same hand he was struck on during the West Indies series last month. Scans have ruled out a fracture, but he wasn't considered fit to play or lead the side in Leeds.

Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has handed the captaincy to Salman Ali Agha for the first Test. It will be his first Test as Pakistan captain, though he already leads the side in T20Is and has plenty of experience within the leadership group. Babar's absence is expected to be limited to this Test, with hopes he recovers in time for the second match at Lord's.

Pakistan are playing a Test series in England for the first time in six years, having lost 1-0 on their last visit in 2020. Both sides go into the contest under pressure in the World Test Championship table, making the opening exchanges at Headingley an early litmus test for two teams in transition.