England announce playing XI for first Pakistan Test as Stokes ruled out

England’s Test captain Ben Stokes will miss the first Test against Pakistan due to a lingering hamstring injury.

With regular captain Ben Stokes ruled out due to an ongoing hamstring injury, Ollie Pope will take charge as the stand-in captain.

Stokes has been sidelined since August and also missed the recent Sri Lanka series. Despite joining the squad and participating in training, fitness concerns have led to his omission from the first Test.

The 33-year-old all-rounder suffered the injury on August 11 while playing in The Hundred.

Pakistan and England are scheduled to play a three-match Test series in Multan and Rawalpindi from October 7 to October 28.

The first PAK v ENG Test match will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium from October 7 to 11, while the second Test match will be played at the same venue from October 15 to 19.

The third Test match will commence on October 24 and will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.