Pakistan's current tour of England is rapidly deteriorating, marked by a series of alarming on-field defeats and off-field controversies, prompting a comparison to some of the poorest touring performances in the last five decades.
As of mid-September 2026, the team led by Babar Azam is facing a potential 3-0 whitewash after struggling to compete against an England side that had also been underperforming. This situation has led to an examination of historical visiting teams' performances in England.
Historical Comparisons
Ranked fifth is the Pakistan team of 1978, led by Wasim Bari. Despite having notable individual scorers, the team averaged 169 runs and lost the first two Tests by an innings. The bowling attack, notably without Imran Khan, lacked effectiveness.
In fourth place is India's 2011 squad, which included legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and MS Dhoni. Despite Dravid scoring three centuries, the team suffered four heavy defeats, including two by an innings. Bowling issues, exacerbated by injuries, saw the side lose all formats during their tour.
The 1985 Australian team, captained by Allan Border, is ranked third. While the series ended 3-1 to England, Australia's squad was in a state of flux, with a blend of experienced and new bowlers. Despite Border's efforts, England secured innings victories in two matches.
Bangladesh's 2005 tour places second. Facing an England team that would later achieve Ashes success, Bangladesh struggled significantly. They conceded runs at a high rate and failed to bat for extended periods, with both Tests concluding on the third morning.
Pakistan's 2026 Tour
Topping the list is Pakistan's 2026 tour. The team has been plagued by a cascade of issues, including the removal of Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, the dismissal of seven players mid-series, and an investigation into squad conduct. Amidst this turmoil, questions have arisen about player call-ups. The batting lineup has consistently failed to reach 200 runs in any Test innings so far, scoring 171, 135, 110, 194, and 133. This performance trend has not been seen from any touring team in England since the post-World War II era. With the third Test underway and England leading 2-0, Pakistan has one remaining opportunity to avoid an ignominious record.