Shoaib Akhtar sounds alarm for Babar Azam’s Pakistan before England Test series: ‘Very difficult for them to handle’

Shoaib Akhtar feels England are unlikely to give Pakistan the same opportunities they received against the West Indies.

Published on: Aug 12, 2026, 07:28:14 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Veteran pacer Shoaib Akhtar has issued a warning to Pakistan ahead of their upcoming Test series against England. Pakistan have brought Babar Azam back as their Test captain, but his first assignment ended with mixed results as the series against the West Indies was drawn 1-1. Pakistan lost the opening Test before making a strong comeback in the second, winning by eight wickets to level the series.

Pakistan draw two match Test series 1-1 against West Indies. (AFP)

However, Pakistan’s red-ball side continues to face major challenges, particularly on overseas tours, where they have struggled to produce consistent performances. Their position in the World Test Championship points table also reflects their difficult run. Pakistan were pushed to the bottom after losing the first Test against the West Indies, but the victory in the second Test helped them move up to ninth.

The England tour is likely to present an even tougher challenge for Babar and his team. Playing in English conditions has traditionally tested visiting teams, while Pakistan will also have to deal with the pressure of improving their WTC campaign. With Babar back in charge and the team looking to build some momentum, the series could be an important test of Pakistan’s ability to compete away from home. Akhtar has now warned the team about the difficult assignment ahead.

Akhtar feels England are unlikely to give Pakistan the same opportunities they received against the West Indies. The former pacer expects the hosts to prepare seam-friendly conditions and use them to expose Pakistan’s batting weaknesses.

"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 with a local sports platform, as quoted by Geo News.

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Pakistan struggle in overseas

Pakistan’s last Test win away from home came against Sri Lanka in 2023, during Babar Azam’s first stint as captain. Shan Masood then took over the leadership and remained in charge for nearly three years, but Pakistan’s overseas struggles continued under him. They suffered a 3-0 series whitewash in Australia before losing 2-0 in South Africa and then 2-0 in Bangladesh. The run left Pakistan without a Test win away from home for a prolonged period and highlighted their struggles to perform consistently in overseas conditions. With Babar back as captain, the England tour will once again test Pakistan’s ability to deliver away from home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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