England's 16-man squad for the opening two Tests against Pakistan has been announced, with captain Joe Root including Ollie Pope. Pope, a former vice-captain, returns after a strong County Championship campaign, aiming to revive his international career.

The absence of all-rounder Ben Stokes leaves a gap, with Dan Lawrence expected to fill the role at number six. Sam Curran is also being considered for the all-rounder position, but his inclusion for these Tests is hindered by fitness concerns, according to selector Marcus North.

Spinner Shoaib Bashir retains his place, while Rehan Ahmed has been omitted from the Test setup despite his promising domestic form. The squad selection sets the stage for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, with the first Test scheduled for August 19 at Headingley.