The England Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, scheduled from 7 October to 28 October this year. Ben Stokes, currently recovering from a calf injury, will captain the side in the three-match series.
Durham pacer Brydon Carse and Essex wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox have received their maiden call-ups for the series. Spinners Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach also make their return to the Ben Stokes-led squad after previously being out of the Test team.
England is currently sixth in the World Test Championship standings, having played 16 matches in the ongoing WTC cycle, with eight wins, seven losses, and one draw. Stokes and his team will aim to win this series to keep their hopes alive for the World Test Championship Final, scheduled for June next year in England.
Kent opener Zak Crawley returns to the squad after recovering from a fractured finger sustained in the West Indies series in July. The venues for the series are yet to be officially confirmed, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce Multan International Cricket Stadium, National Stadium Karachi, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as the locations.
England vs Pakistan Test Head-to-Head
England and Pakistan have faced each other in 88 Test matches, with England winning 28 and Pakistan 21, while 39 matches ended in a draw.
England Men’s Test Squad:
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, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.
