England Squad: England has announced the squad for the first two matches of the three-match Test series against Pakistan starting from August 19.

England Squad for PAK Test Series: The England Cricket Board on Thursday (August 6) announced a 16-member squad for the first two matches of the three-match Test series against Pakistan. This is England's first Test series since Ben Stokes' retirement, in which new captain Joe Root will be seen taking charge. Four players have returned to the team. The series, to be played on English soil, will begin on August 19.

Four players return to the squad: Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse, and Sam Cooke. Dan Lawrence, the leading run-scorer in Division One of the County Championship, has been given a second call-up. Sam Cooke played a Test against Zimbabwe last summer. Brydon Carse and Ollie Pope are returning after last winter's Ashes series in Australia.

Jacob Bethel injury increases tension

All-rounder Jacob Bethal suffered a knee injury in the ODI series against India last month, ruling him out of the entire Pakistan Test series. Jordan Cox will replace Bethal. Cox made his Test debut against New Zealand at the Kia Oval earlier this summer.

The first Test of the series will be played at Headingley in Leeds. The second Test will be played at the historic Lord's ground in London. The third and final Test will be played at Birmingham's Edgbaston.

England's Test squad for the Test series against Pakistan (for the first two Tests)

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.

England-Pakistan Test Series Schedule

First Test: August 19 at Headingley (Leeds)

Second Test: August 27 at Lord's (London)

Third Test: September 9 at Edgbaston (Birmingham)