Stokes Returns, Two New Faces in England's Test Squad for Series Against Pakistan

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a 17-member squad for the three-match Test series against Pakistan. England’s regular Test captain, Ben Stokes, is returning after recovering from an injury. Along with Stokes, opener Zak Crawley is also making a comeback from injury. Two English cricketers, pacer Brydon Carse and batter Jordan Cox, have earned their first call-ups to the Test team for the Pakistan series.

Pakistan and England will face each other in three Tests scheduled on October 7, 15, and 24. Initially, there were venue complications, but Multan and Rawalpindi have been finalized as the two venues for the series.

There was uncertainty regarding the availability of captain Ben Stokes for the Pakistan series, but he has been cleared to return. Jack Leach has also been recalled to the squad after eight months. Pacer Brydon Carse and batter Jordan Cox have been selected for the first time in the national team due to their impressive performances in the domestic red-ball competition, the County Championship.

In the last Test series between Pakistan and England, England whitewashed Pakistan 3-0. However, a recent loss to Sri Lanka in the World Test Championship has pushed England down to sixth place in the table.

England's Test Squad:

Ben Stokes (captain), Ollie Pope, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Josh Tongue, Jack Leach, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Ollie Stone, and Chris Woakes.