Stokes Ruled Out; Brydon Carse To Debut As England Announces Playing XI For 1st Test Vs Pakistan

Stokes ruled out Vs Pakistan [Source: @anuragdas_gupta]

In the latest developmemt, England skipper, Ben Stokes was ruled out of the first Test Vs Pakistan, starting on October 7. Stokes hsn't fully recover from his hamstring issues, and the team management aren'ttaking any risks.

Stokes suffered from hamstring injury during The Hundred 2024 competition, and subsequently missed the 3-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which the hosts won by 2-1. Stokes was included in the side for the away tour of Pakistan, but just two days before the Test match, England have been jolted with injury blow.

Carse handed debut cap

The England Cricket Board announced their playing XI for the first Test, and they sprung a surprise by giving debut cap to fast-bowling all-rounder, Brydon Carse. Carse, has so far played 19 ODIs and 4 T20I matches for England, and has particularly impressed in the 50-over format, where he has scalped 23 wickets.

With the surface likely to offer some turn, England have included twio spinners, Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir. Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes are the other two pacers in the playing XI.

With no Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope will once again lead the side as England look to whitewash the Pakistan team, the same way they did in 2022. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett to open, with Pope at 3, Joe Root at 4, rising star, Harry Brook at 5, and Jamie Smith at 6.

The first Test will take place in Multan, while the second Test will also take place at the same venue, followed by the third one in Rawalpindi.

England XI for 1st Test Vs Pakistan

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir, Jack Leach

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