Three named in Test squad for Pakistan tour

Ollie Pope, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith have been named in England's squad for the upcoming Test tour of Pakistan

All three players have starred for the Three Lions this summer in the Test series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Ollie Pope scored his first Test century on his home ground over the weekend, scoring 154 against Sri Lanka.

Gus Atkinson has been a revelation ever since he pulled on the Three Lions. The seamer has taken 34 wickets in his opening six Test matches, plus a career high score of 118 against Sri Lanka at Lord’s.

Jamie Smith has scored 487 in his opening six Test matches at an average of 48.70 with a high score 111.

The venues for the three-match series are yet to be confirmed, with an announcement expected from the Pakistan Cricket Board later this week.

Captain Ben Stokes returns to the squad after injury, alongside opener Zac Crawley who returns from a finger injury.

Eight players from the squad – Rehan Ahmed, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes – return to Pakistan following the 3-0 Test series victory in 2022.

Durham seamer Brydon Carse and Essex batter Jordan Cox are the only uncapped players included in the squad.

Somerset spinner Jack Leach makes his return to the Test set-up for the first time since the opening Test in India in January 2024.

Leicestershire leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, who made his Test debut in Karachi during the last Pakistan tour in December 2022, will be aiming to add to his four Test caps.

Following his Test debut at Kia Oval this week, Leicestershire seamer Josh Hull is included in the squad for his first senior tour with England.

England Men’s Test Squad:

Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain

Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)

Gus Atkinson (Surrey)

Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)

Harry Brook (Yorkshire)

Brydon Carse (Durham)

Jordan Cox (Essex)

Zak Crawley (Kent)

Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)

Josh Hull (Leicestershire)

Jack Leach (Somerset)

Ollie Pope (Surrey)

Matthew Potts (Durham)

Joe Root (Yorkshire)

Jamie Smith (Surrey)

Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire)

Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)