PAK vs ENG: England announce playing XI for third Test, Rehan Ahmed to make his debut

England have announced their playing XI for the third Test match against Pakistan starting on December 17 in Karachi. The 18-year-old legspinner Rehan Ahmed has been named in the team in the place of Will Jacks and wicketkeeper batter Ben Foakes replaced pacer James Anderson.

Rehan, 18, will become England's youngest Test debutant when he will enter the pitch in the third Test. He was a substitute fielder in the first two Tests, particularly in the Rawalpindi match when Liam Livingstone suffered a knee injury. Rehan has played only three first-class matches so far, having picked nine wickets and scoring one hundred, and is highly rated by the management.

Stokes explains Rehan's selection

England captain Ben Stokes explained the reason behind Rehan's selection for the third Test and said that the management is no giving caps away but picked the youngster because of his talent.

"When we spoke about having Rehan into the squad, it was more than just bringing him in and integrating him into the squad. We did speak about us having no issues with selecting him if we felt it was the right option. I don't think this is a case of, if he was to play, of giving caps away. We picked him in the squad not just because of his talent, but because we thought it would be a good opportunity to play if we thought it was necessary," Ben Stokes told reporters.

Foakes missed the first match after falling sick and failed to make the squad for the Multan Test with Ollie Pope donning wicketkeeping gloves. But having already sealed the series, England management was expected to bring in Foakes. With Anderson out, the Three Lions seem a little short on pace options with Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood being the only specialist pacers for the final Test match.

England's playing XI for the third Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Jack Leach.