In a recent development, an England star who was expected to return to the national team for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan has now been ruled out of the series opener, scheduled to begin on October 7.

Dynamic all-rounder Ben Stokes will now have to await his return as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury he suffered more than two months ago during a match in The Hundred.

In the absence of Stokes, who is England’s regular red-ball captain, Ollie Pope will continue to lead the Three Lions in what will be his first away Test as captain and fourth overall. Last month, he led England to a 2-1 series victory over Asian rivals Sri Lanka at home.

ALSO READ: ‘North ke.. players’: Sanjay Manjrekar in murky waters after controversial on-air comment

England to debut fast bowler Brydon Carse

Pacer Brydon Carse, who has 127 first-class wickets at an average of 33.78 in 48 matches, will make his Test debut. He will be joined by Chris Woakes, who will be playing his first overseas Test in more than two-and-a-half years, and Gus Atkinson, who made his Test debut earlier this summer, in the fast bowling line-up. Carse enters the series having featured in all five ODIs against Australia, where he claimed eight wickets.

After the completion of the first Test, the second Pakistan vs England match will also be played in Multan, starting on October 15, and England would hope that Ben Stokes could mark his return to international cricket in that game.

The third Test will be played in Rawalpindi from October 24.

England squad for Pakistan’s first Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (C), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse (debut), Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir

For more updates, follow Cricxtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram and YouTube.