Ben Stokes returns as England announce their Playing 11 vs Pakistan for the 2nd Test

England has officially unveiled their squad for the highly anticipated second Test against Pakistan, starting on October 15 in Multan. In a major boost and good news for the England cricket team, Test captain and dynamic all-rounder Ben Stokes returned to the line-up for the Multan Test against Pakistan.

Ben Stokes, who missed the last four Test matches due to a hamstring tear, is back in action after recovering from the injury and ready to lead the England cricket team. His return comes as a massive boost for England, as they look to regain momentum in the Pakistan Test series.

Ben Stokes makes return as England unveils playing XI for second Test against Pakistan

In a strategic move, England seamers Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes have been rested for the second Test against Pakistan, allowing them to recharge and come back stronger for the upcoming fixtures. Rest to Atkinson and Woakes opened the door for another exciting addition to the squad.

Durham's Matt Potts is making his comeback after a short break since the Lord’s Test against Sri Lanka in late August. Potts, known for his fierce bowling and relentless spirit, will add depth to England's bowling attack, featuring the only pace specialist Brydon Carse.

Potts and Carse will be assisted by the skipper and all-rounder Ben Stokes in the upcoming Test against Pakistan, as England decided to go with two spin specialists Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir at the Multan Cricket Stadium, which is expected to deliver another batting-friendly surface.

England selects six batters for the Multan Test against Pakistan

There were reports that Pakistan will use the same wicket that was used for the first Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium, where history was made with both teams scoring over 776 and 823 runs across the three innings. This match was won by England by an innings and 47 runs.

Since the second Test will be held at the same venue, England captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum have opted to go with a four-bowling attack combination and two pace bowling all-rounders, Harry Brook and Stokes, to clinch the Test series against Pakistan.

England made only two changes, which means the rest of the batting line-up is the same that dominated the first Test. Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Jamie Smith, along with Brook and Stokes, are all set to set the stage on fire in Multan.

ECB confirms Ben Stokes' return for second Test

ECB said in an official press release: “England Men have confirmed their XI for the second Test against Pakistan, which is set to commence on Tuesday in Multan. Seamers Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes are rested. England captain Ben Stokes returns after missing the last four Test matches.

He has fully recovered from a hamstring tear, which has kept him on the sidelines since early August. Durham seamer Matt Potts returns to the side for the first time since the Lord’s Test against Sri Lanka at the end of August.”

Here’s England playing XI for the second Test against Pakistan:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith, Bryan Carse, Matt Potts, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir.