MULTAN – England cricket team on Saturday announced its squad for upcoming first Test against Pakistan, slated to be held from October 7 at Multan Cricket Stadium.
With captain Ben Stokes rested due to a hamstring injury, Ollie Pope will assume captaincy for this match. Durham pacer Brydon Carse is set to make his Test debut, while left-arm spinner Jack Leach makes a comeback after a lengthy absence, having last played in January during England’s tour of India.
Zak Crawley has also been cleared to play against Green Shirts. Ben Stokes sustained his injury during The Hundred League, which prevented him from participating in the recent Test series against Sri Lanka.
Initial hopes for recovery before series against Pakistan have not materialized. England squad is a blend of seasoned players and emerging talents, with Carse debuting alongside established bowlers Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson.
English batting order will also rely on the skills of Pope, Crawley, Harry Brook, and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. Men in Green, under the leadership of Shan Masood, will face England in this three-match series, with the first two Tests taking place in Multan and the final Test in Rawalpindi.
