England has revealed its 17-member squad for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, with Ben Stokes returning as captain. Stokes missed the previous series against Sri Lanka due to injury, but he is back to lead the team in Pakistan. The series, scheduled to start on October 7, marks an important moment as England aims to continue its recent dominance in Test cricket.
Key Changes in the England Squad
One of the notable changes in the squad is the exclusion of Dan Lawrence. Despite scoring 17 centuries in first-class cricket, Lawrence has struggled at the international level, which led to his omission. England has decided to bring in new talent, including two uncapped players, Jordan Cox and Brydon Carse, who are set to make their debut in Pakistan. Zak Crawley, who had been sidelined earlier, also makes a return to the team.
Tom Hartley, another player dropped from the squad, had been part of England’s plans in recent series but will not be traveling to Pakistan this time.
England’s Test Squad for Pakistan Tour
The England Test squad for the series includes:
Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Ollie Stone, and Chris Woakes.
Uncertainty Over Match Venues
While the Test series is expected to begin on October 7, the exact venues for the matches are still being finalized. Initially, Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi were set to host the games, but due to incomplete work on one of the stadiums, there is speculation that a Test match might be moved outside Pakistan.
England’s Dominance Over Pakistan
England’s last visit to Pakistan was a remarkable success. They swept Pakistan 3-0 in the series, showcasing their superiority on foreign soil. The English team outclassed Pakistan, winning the first Test in Rawalpindi by 74 runs, the second in Multan by 26 runs, and the third in Karachi by 8 wickets.
Tough Times Ahead for Pakistan
Pakistan’s recent Test record has been disappointing. They have failed to secure a single victory in their last 10 Test matches at home. Adding to their struggles, Pakistan lost a 2-0 Test series to Bangladesh earlier this year, making their prospects against England even more challenging.
