England's stand-in captain Ollie Pope has no doubt that Chris Woakes will expertly spearhead their pace attack in the three-test series in Pakistan beginning in Multan on Monday.

England has aimed to challenge struggling Pakistan with a new-look pace attack in the opening test of a three-match series, starting in the searing heat of Multan on Monday.

Pakistan suffered another humbling defeat in September, which saw Bangladesh enjoy a six-wicket haul to confirm a 2-0 Test series win. They have just two series victories in their last nine, while England arrive unbeaten in 10, stretching back to March 2022.

England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the first Test against Pakistan after failing to recover from a hamstring injury. The all-rounder has not featured since sustaining the injury in August while playing for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred,