New Delhi: Test skipper Ben Stokes will be back to lead England in a three-match tour of Pakistan next month after missing their series win against Sri Lanka this month.
England announced a 17-member squad on Tuesday for their tour of Pakistan that begins from October 7 in Multan followed by matches in Karachi and Rawalpindi.
Stokes is currently recovering from a hamstring tear suffered in The Hundred last month.
Opener Zak Crawley has also been included as he is expected to recover completely after fracturing his right little finger at Edgbaston in July.
“Zak Crawley returns to the squad after missing out since the West Indies series in July. Captain Ben Stokes is also included as he continues his recovery from a hamstring tear,” England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement.
England called back spinner Rehan Ahmed as will Jack Leach, who has been picked for the first time since been sidelined with an injury after the first Test against India in Hyderabad in January this year.
Leach along with Shoaib Bashir and Ahmed form the team’s three slow bowling options.
Uncapped duo of Brydon Carse and batter Jordan Cox were also named as was Josh Hull, who debuted in England’s third Test defeat to Sri Lanka.
Carse has recently served a three-match ban for breaching betting rules. The bowling all-rounder will take the place of Mark Wood who is put with an elbow injury.
Crawley will take the place of Dan Lawrence, who was used as a makeshift opener against Sri Lanka.
The England 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.
England announced a 17-member squad on Tuesday for their tour of Pakistan that begins from October 7 in Multan Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
