PAK vs ENG: Ben Stokes returns as England make 2 changes for 2nd Test

Ben Stokes has returned to the playing XI as England announced their team for the second Test against Pakistan in Multan, which will begin from October 15, Tuesday. Stokes is one of the 2 changes made by England for the match.

In Short

• Stokes missed the last 4 Tests for England
• Stokes and Potts have returned to the team for Woakes and Atkinson
• England lead the series 1-0

Captain Ben Stokes has returned to the playing XI as England announced their playing XI for the 2nd Test against Pakistan in Multan, which will begin from October 15,. Tuesday. Stokes had missed the last 4 Tests played by England, which included the entire series against Sri Lanka and the win in the first match of the series.

Stokes was rested for the first match and did do his part for the team by coming in to bring on drinks for his side. England cricket board announced the playing XI on Monday and said that the skipper had completely recovered from the hamstring tear that had kept him out of the side since the end of August. Along with Stokes, Matthew Potts also returned to the team as Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes were rested for the match.

Potts is returning to the team for the first time since the Lord's Test against Sri Lanka at the end of August.

"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," read the statement.

ENGLAND PLAYING XI FOR 2ND TEST

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

Pakistan have already made some big changes to their squad for the remainder of the series as they decided to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.