london: Pakistan have received a major boost ahead of the first Test in England as experienced batter Shan Masood returned to training The three-match series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), begins at Headingley, Leeds on Aug 19.

Left-handed Shan injured his finger during the opening Test of Pakistan’s recent series against the West Indies in the Caribbean and watched on from the sidelines as the team broke a three-year drought with their first victory away from home since 2023 in the second Test which drew the series 1-1.

But the stylish batter trained with the rest of Pakistan’s squad at Beckenham on Tuesday and appears on track to return to the lineup for the first Test against England in Leeds from Aug 19.

“The national Test squad took part in a practice session at Kent County Cricket Club in Beckenham. The players participated in batting and bowling net practice during the session,” the Pakistan camp in England confirmed.

“Injured batter Shan Masood also took part in the practice session. Under the supervision of the medical team, he carried out batting practice.”

Pakistan currently sit in eighth place on the WTC standings and will be looking to continue their recent resurgence in England under new skipper Babar Azam, with the side to play a three-day tour match in Beckenham prior to the first Test.

The clash against a Professional County Club Select XI was originally scheduled to take place across four days and beginning on Aug 12, but the match has now been reduced to a three-day fixture that commences on Aug 13.

BABAR BACK INSIDE TOP 10

Meanwhile, a trio of Pakistan stars have been rewarded for their recent triumph in the West Indies by making big gains on the latest ICC Test player rankings.

Pakistan defeated the West indies by eight wickets in the second match of their ICC WTC series and it was Babar, recalled batter Abdullah Shafique and spinner Sajid Khan that led the way.

Babar scored a superb 88 in the first innings of the match and was there at the end with an unbeaten 24 in the second innings as he improved five places to move to 10th on the updated rankings for Test batters.

It is the first time Babar has been inside the top 10 for Test batters since the start of September in 2024, breaking a drought of almost two years for the right-hander.

Abdullah’s efforts against the West Indies overshadowed those of Babar, with the Pakistan No.3 scoring an excellent unbeaten 160 in the first innings of the match that saw the right-hander gain 25 slots to move to 32nd for Test batters.

Sajid was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers during the Test, with the right-arm spinner improving five places to 30th for Test bowlers and also humping five spots to move to 32nd for Test all-rounders.

Australia left-hander Travis Head remains at the top of the rankings for Test batters, India pace spearhead maintains a lead at the head of the list for Test bowlers, while Ravindra Jadeja is still the No.1 ranked Test all-rounder.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2026