After cancelling the tour to Pakistan last year, England agreed to tour Pakistan in the end of this year. England selectors have announced a 15-member strong squad which will travel to Pakistan for the three-match Test series in December. It will be quite historic because England will Tour Pakistan as a Test team for the first time since 2005. ECB have selected the squad according to the conditions in Pakistan. The 15-member squad is a mix of youth and experienced players who will play across the three-match series. Here’s a deep analysis of England’s Test Squad for Pakistan Tour.
England Men’s Test squad for Pakistan tour
Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Will Jacks, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood
Ben Stokes will lead the team against Pakistan. Since taking the responsibility of captaincy from Joe Root in the Tests, Ben Stokes is leading England towards a new era under the guidance of new head coach Brendon McCullum. The duo of new Captain Ben Stokes and newly appointed head coach Brendon McCullum have brought a new approach to the game for England. The new aggressive approach has also brought inspiration for the English fans.
Key Takeaways from England’s Test Squad against Pakistan
Will Jacks has earned his first call to the England Test side after he was named in England’s squad against Pakistan. The call came after he played a crucial part in helping Surrey win the LV= Insurance County Championship Division One title.
Explosive batsman Liam Livingstone has also been called up to the squad. He is a regular name in England’s white-ball team but he has not made his Test debut till now.
Keaton Jennings has also been recalled to the squad after being absent for more than two years. He was the highest run-scorer in County Championship Division One as he scored 1233 runs at an average of 72.52 with five centuries.
Stuart Broad has not been named in the squad against Pakistan because he is not available for selection at the present moment as the player is on paternity leave. England will definitely miss him because he is one of the crucial players in England’s red-ball setup.
Mark Wood might assist Jimmy in the absence of Broad. Wood has been absent from Tests since March.
Jamie Overton has been included again in the squad after his impressive performance on Test debut against New Zealand in the summer.
This test series against Pakistan is not much important for England because have already been out of contention for the final of World Test championship cycle goes. Their record is quite bad in current WTC as they are at the bottom of the Table.
Pakistan vs England Test series will commence with the first Test in Rawalpindi on October 1. The next two matches will take place in Multan and Karachi respectively.
England Tour of Pakistan Schedule
DATE | Match Details |
Thu Dec 1 – Mon Dec 5 | Pakistan vs England, 1st Test Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
Fri Dec 9 – Tue Dec 13 | Pakistan vs England, 2nd Test Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan |
Sat Dec 17 – Wed Dec 21 | Pakistan vs England, 3rd Test National Stadium, Karachi |