Joe Root is back as full-time England red-ball captain
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Watch England vs Pakistan live streams as the 1st Test from Headingley, Leeds, begins a three-match series full of intrigue. Joe Root returns as England captain as the backlash from the hosts previous series continues, while Babar Azam's visitors seek a rare away series victory.
"Bazball" is finally over, with coach Brendon McCullum let go from the Test gig days after Ben Stokes announced a shock international retirement after England's 2-1 defeat by New Zealand in June. Stephen Fleming, another Kiwi, doesn't take the reins as the new Test coach until the winter so Marcus Trescothick is in interim coaching charge here.
Root's return as skipper – having resigned in 2022 after 27 wins in 64 Tests with the job weighing too heavily – is largely down to a distinct lack of alternatives. After all, Harry Brook, vice-captain under Stokes and the white-ball skipper, has had notorious incidents similar to that which precipitated Stokes' exit. Wins over entertainment appears the new mantra.
England must trim their in-form bowling unit of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Ollie Robinson and the returning Brydon Carse, while working out how to deal with the loss of their principal all-rounder in Stokes. Jordan Cox will bat at three in absence of the injured Jacob Bethell.
Pakistan, meanwhile, are coming off a hard-fought victory in their tour game against a Professional County Club Select XI. Despite trailing by 67 in the first innings, they won the match, chasing 264 on the last day thanks to Saud Shakeel's unbeaten century. But they’re currently 7th in the ICC’s Test rankings and have only just won their first away Test – in West Indies – after three long years.
New-ball bowler Mohammad Abbas is ideally suited to English conditions, with Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad, and Aamer Jamal to maintain their bite through the series. Abbas faces a late fitness test after injuring a finger in that warm-up game.
Pakistan won the last Test series against England 2-1, albeit in home conditions. Can they start this overseas series well with a win?
You can catch all the England vs Pakistan 1st Test action live and free. Read on to find out how.
Digital streaming service Tapmad is showing the England vs Pakistan test series completely free, albeit with ads playing during over breaks and fall of wickets.
Those still tied to the cord can also watch the match free in Pakistan, thanks to the PTV Sports TV channel.
Cord-cutters in Australia, meanwhile, have a sneaky trick they can use to watch the Test match live: Kayo Sports offers a 7-day free trial to new users, letting you catch all five days of action live and free.
Outside any of these countries right now? No worries, you can still stream the action by using a VPN. More details below…
If you're keen to watch cricket but you're away from home and your preferred coverage is geo-blocked, you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.
