Three Tests, three iconic grounds, and a rivalry that’s been simmering since Pakistan’s last visit ended in a 2-1 series win back in 2024. That’s what’s on offer when the two sides meet again from 19 August, and with the series doubling as a World Test Championship assignment for both teams, missing a session isn’t really an option for anyone following the race closely.
Joe Root leads England into his second spell as permanent captain, while Babar Azam returns to marshal a Pakistan side that’s just drawn a series with West Indies. Cricket Insider UK has pulled together where to watch, when to tune in, and how to keep up with the scores wherever you happen to be.
Where to Watch Pakistan Tour of England 2026
Coverage of this series runs through the usual regional broadcasters, each one pairing a television channel with a streaming app.
| Region | TV Broadcast | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| UK & Ireland | Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event | Sky Go, NOW |
| India | Sony Sports Network | SonyLIV |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports | Tapmad, Tamasha |
| USA | Willow TV | Willow app |
| Australia | Fox Cricket (usual home Tests broadcaster) | Kayo Sports |
(Source: Sky Sports)
Sky Sports has confirmed it holds live rights across the UK and Ireland, with radio commentary running alongside on BBC Test Match Special and highlights packages on the BBC.
Pakistan Tour of England 2026 Schedule
The tour packs three Tests into four weeks, moving between three of England’s most storied grounds, and the fixtures are locked in below.
| Test | Dates | Venue (City) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | 19 to 23 August 2026 | Headingley, Leeds |
| 2nd Test | 27 to 31 August 2026 | Lord’s, London |
| 3rd Test | 9 to 13 September 2026 | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
(Source: ECB)
Pakistan Tour of England 2026 Match Timings
Every Test starts at 11:00 in England, but that lands at a different time depending on where you’re watching from, so it’s worth setting a reminder rather than guessing.
| Region | Local Start Time |
|---|---|
| UK (BST) | 11:00 AM |
| GMT / UTC | 10:00 AM |
| Pakistan (PKT) | 3:00 PM |
| India (IST) | 3:30 PM |
| USA (Eastern) | 6:00 AM |
| Australia (AEST) | 8:00 PM |
(Source: ECB)
Where to Follow Live Scores and Commentary
Not everyone can sit through five days of Test cricket in real time, and that’s fine. Ball by ball text commentary and live scores are a solid way to stay across the series without needing to watch every over.
- ESPNcricinfo covers live scores, ball by ball commentary and full scorecards.
- Cricbuzz offers live scores alongside commentary and post-session analysis.
- BBC Sport runs text commentary online, with BBC Test Match Special providing radio coverage throughout each day’s play.
- The ICC website hosts the World Test Championship standings and match centre, useful for tracking what a result means for both sides’ points percentage.
(Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Related Reads
Sky Sports Holds UK Rights as Pakistan Tour England From 19 August
Sky Sports remains the place to watch every ball in the UK, with Sony Sports and SonyLIV doing the job in India and PTV Sports covering Pakistan at home. Between the main broadcasters and the live score platforms, there’s no real excuse for missing a session this series.
Root’s first assignment as permanent captain again and Babar’s return to lead Pakistan both give this tour an extra layer of interest beyond the World Test Championship points on offer. From Headingley on 19 August through to Edgbaston in mid September, it’s a series worth clearing the diary for.
