As the 2025-2027 World Test Championship gets underway, Pakistan arrive at Headingley for a potentially pivotal three-Test series against England. Sitting eighth in the WTC standings with a record that puts them just ahead of neighbors England at seventh, a strong performance on home soil could propel Pakistan up the rankings.
While England represent a tough assignment anywhere, Pakistan possess players with vital county experience as well as a potent batting and bowling unit that has been in sublime form in recent months.
Here are three key figures poised to shape Pakistan's fortunes in the opening clash at Headingley
1. Shan Masood
After being ruled out of the second Test against the West Indies after injuring his finger during the first match, Shan Masood continues to recover as he gets ready to return to the team. This could be a crucial moment for the visitors in the upcoming Test Match at Leeds.
As they prepare to face Babar Azam, who was unable to participate in the opening Test, the onus will be on Shan Masood, who has batted beautifully in his past county appearances, to produce the runs. With previous experience of playing in the county for both Derbyshire and his current home county Yorkshire, Masood will provide the local knowledge for the tourists, who were blown away by the quick first Test debut of the home team. After scoring a century in the Caribbean before his injury, Masood has the experience of the English seamers and swingers who have troubled him.
Also read: Babar Azam Ruled Out of Headingley Test: Salman Ali Agha Takes Over Pakistan Captaincy
2. Abdullah Shafique
The promising young opener had been in stunning form in his career so far, and his Test statistics of 1794 runs at 41.72 from 25 completed innings speak volumes about his ability to perform under pressure. Shafique followed up his poor recent form with a magnificent century on his home ground as an unbeaten 160 helped Pakistan register a famous win in the second Test against the West Indies. Shafique scored a well-deserved 61 in the warm-up match against the County Select XI.
In-form Shafique will be looking to continue his good work in the upcoming series against England, and his disciplined defense against the Duke ball will play a pivotal role in countering England's fiery opening attack.
3. Mohammad Abbas
If Pakistan wants to take 20 wickets in England, Mohammad Abbas will be the man to take them. At the spearhead of Pakistan's attack, the left-arm orthodox spinner came into the series having taken eight wickets in the first Test against the West Indies, including a spectacular five-wicket haul in the second innings.
A product of years on the county circuit, including spells at Hampshire and Leicestershire, Abbas has an astonishing first-class record of 897 wickets at an average of 20.39. He may not have the pace of a quick bowler, but he compensates with pinpoint accuracy and an ability to draw late swing onto the bat – a talent that has often perplexed English batters at home.