England’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Pakistan has been announced, with the notable inclusions of Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley. Stokes, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since July, will make his long-awaited return to the side, while Crawley, who was dropped after a poor run of form, has been recalled.
Stokes’ return is a major boost for England, as he is one of the world’s leading all-rounders. His batting, bowling, and fielding abilities will be invaluable to the team, particularly in the challenging conditions of Pakistan. Crawley, on the other hand, will be looking to prove that he deserves his place in the side. The 24-year-old has shown glimpses of his talent in the past, but he has also been inconsistent.
The squad also includes several other experienced players, such as Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, and Stuart Broad. Root will continue to lead the team, while Bairstow and Broad will provide stability and experience in the batting and bowling departments, respectively.
England will play three Tests in Pakistan, with the first match starting on December 1 in Rawalpindi. The second Test will be played in Multan from December 9-13, and the third Test will be held in Karachi from December 17-21.
The tour will be a tough test for England, as Pakistan is a strong team at home. However, with the return of Stokes and the inclusion of several other experienced players, England will be confident of success.
The squad in full:
* Joe Root (c)
* Ben Stokes (vc)
* James Anderson
* Jonny Bairstow
* Stuart Broad
* Zak Crawley
* Ben Foakes
* Will Jacks
* Keaton Jennings
* Jack Leach
* Liam Livingstone
* Ollie Pope
* Matthew Potts
* Ollie Robinson
* Joe Root