England's Test squad for Pakistan tour: Here are the takeaways
What's the story
England's 17-member squad was announced for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan in October.
The team will be led by Ben Stokes, who missed the Sri Lanka series at home due to an injury.
Alongside Stokes, Zak Crawley has also been drafted back. Crawley missed the Sri Lanka series as well.
Dan Lawrence, who filled in for Crawley during the Sri Lanka series, has not been included in this squad.
Here are the takeaways.
Player updates
Crawley's recovery and Stokes's return
Crawley, who has been absent from Test cricket since July, is reportedly making significant progress in his recovery.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed his selection based on this improvement.
Stokes, who had suffered a hamstring tear he sustained while participating in The Hundred earlier this year, will hope to make his presence felt.
Both players are expected to return to full match fitness.
Stokes will lend a voice in the middle with Crawley addressing opening issues.
Squad composition
New faces and returning veterans in England's squad
The squad for the Pakistan tour also includes two uncapped players, Brydon Carse and Jordan Cox.
Carse made his debut for England in an ODI in 2021, while Cox is yet to make his international debut.
Carse adds to England's pace unit. He owns 127 scalps in First-Class cricket.
Meanwhile, Cox will travel as the reserve wicketkeeper with Jamie Smith leading the line.
Cox owns 3,194 runs in FC c
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Decoding England's squad
Full squad: Ben Stokes, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.
Pace
Atkinson leads the pace attack
Gus Atkinson was England's best performer with the ball over the last two series. With 34 scalps from six matches, Atkinson at an average of 20.17 leads the pace unit for the Three Lions.
He could be well supported by Chris Woakes, who is closing in on 600 FC scalps (598).
The likes of Josh Hull, Matthew Potts and Olly Stone remain in the mix alongside Carse.
England could field a three-man pace attack.
Batting
Root leads the England batting unit
Joe Root, who has dominated Test cricket for a while now, leads the batting. He was in supreme form in the two Test series at home versus West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Root has an able record in Asia and England will rely on his impetus.
In Ben Duckett, England have an aggressor in the opening department.
The likes of Harry Brook and Smith add firepower in the middle order.
Ollie Pope at number three remains a serious threat.
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Bashir will lead the spin show
Shoain Bashir will lead England's spin attack. Bashir has become a regular feature in England's XI of late. Jack Leach will provide the necessary support. With Root in the line-up, he is expected to fill in as the third spin option. Rehan Ahmed will lend his voice from the bench.
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Predicted England XI
Probable England XI for 1st Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Olly Stone, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.