Multan

England’s wicketkeeper-batter, Ollie Pope, will captain the team in the first Test match against Pakistan in Multan, filling in for Ben Stokes, who is sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Stokes, a key player for the team, has not fully recovered from the injury he sustained during The Hundred in August, which also kept him out of the recent series against Sri Lanka. In his absence, Pope had previously led the team to victory.

The England Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Saturday that Brydon Carse will make his Test debut in this match, which starts on October 7. The ECB stated, England Men have confirmed their XI for the first Test against Pakistan. With Captain Ben Stokes still recovering from a hamstring tear, Ollie Pope will lead the side.

Additionally, Jack Leach returns to the Test squad for the first time since the India tour in January. Kent opener Zak Crawley also rejoins the team after recovering from a broken finger.

The first Test will be played in Multan, followed by another Test in the same city on October 15, and the final Test in Rawalpindi from October 24 to 28. The confirmed England XI for the Multan Test includes Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (C), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir.