England Names 16-Member Squad for Pakistan Test Series Under Joe Root's Leadership

England have named a 16-member squad for the first two Tests of the three-match series against Pakistan, which begins later this month and is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle. The squad marks the start of a new phase for England after the retirement of Ben Stokes and the departure of head coach Brendon McCullum. Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence and Sam Cook have all returned to the Test squad, while Jordan Cox is also back and is expected to bat at No. 3, according to The Guardian. Cox gets the opportunity after Jacob Bethell was ruled out of the series with an injury. England are coming into the series after losing to New Zealand and will now begin life under returning captain Joe Root and interim head coach Marcus Trescothick. Root, who was reappointed Test captain in July, will lead England for the first time since returning to the role. Fleming, who has been appointed as McCullum's replacement, will take charge from the Test series against South Africa in December. The first Test begins at Headingley on August 19. England have named a 16-player squad, giving Root several options before deciding on the final XI. One of the main selection decisions will be how to balance the side without a genuine all-rounder following Stokes' retirement. Shoaib Bashir remains England's main spin option in the squad, while Lawrence's recall is not only because he is the leading run-scorer in Division One of the County Championship. He is set to bat at No. 6, but his off-spin could allow England to field four frontline fast bowlers at Headingley.England squad: Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.