Jordan Cox said the advice he got from Virat Kohli will stay with him forever as he prepares to play Pakistan. The 25‑year‑old, a former RCB teammate of Kohli, met the Indian star in London before his debut, a match after a nightclub incident and Stokes’ retirement.

Cox will bat at three, replacing injured Jacob Bethell, and recalled Kohli’s urging: "Enjoy the moment. You only get one debut. Just enjoy it and have fun." He showed promise with scores of 27 and 25 at number seven on his debut, a match England lost. A broken thumb in the nets kept him from a 2024 Test in New Zealand, leading him to think "I’m never going to play again," until Kohli reminded him that "the sun will come up."

Since Stokes retired and England sacked coach Brendon McCullum, Marcus Trescothick leads while Joe Root captains. Cox will bat at three, Dan Lawrence returns at six for off‑spin, and England may field four frontline pacers as rain is forecast in Leeds. They aim to improve a record of two wins in ten Tests against a Pakistan side yet to win a series in England for 30 years, with Babar Azam and Shan Masood possibly fit.