The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named a strong 17-member squad for their upcoming Test series against Pakistan, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). The series will feature three matches from October 7 to October 28.
The squad includes two uncapped players: Durham’s fast-bowling all-rounder Brydon Carse and Essex’s promising wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox. Also returning to the Test side are leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed and left-arm spinner Jack Leach, enhancing the team’s spin options.
England’s regular Test captain, Ben Stokes, who missed the recent Sri Lanka series due to an injury from The Hundred tournament, is set to return, though his participation will depend on his fitness leading up to the series. Left-handed opener Zak Crawley, recovering from a thumb injury sustained during the final Test against the West Indies, is also included.
England heads into the series with recent Test victories over the West Indies and Sri Lanka, while Pakistan is under pressure after a 2-0 home series loss to Bangladesh. This will be England’s second Test tour of Pakistan in two years, with their last visit in 2022 resulting in a 3-0 series win.
There had been speculation about changing the series venues, particularly moving the second Test from Karachi’s National Stadium to the UAE due to venue issues. However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that all three matches will proceed in Pakistan as planned.
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.
