Fast bowler Mark Wood returns for the second Test with Ollie Pope picked as England wicket-keeper for the first time in his career, and not just as an emergency stand in.
Pope retains the gloves in Multan despite Ben Foakes being fit enough to return to the side following his illness in Rawalpindi that kept him out of the first Test. And skipper Ben Stokes explained that it was purely a horses for courses selection due to the expected reduced time for the Test and the fact that Pope had done so well in the first game.
Foakes is still regarded as England's No.1 stumper, but by using Pope as an extra all rounder, it means that Stokes can increase his fast bowling options without reducing his spin bowling threat from the first match in which Will Jacks and Jack Leach played such pivotal roles.
"With Livi’s injury, we’re bringing Mark Wood into the team, and Popey’s going to retain the gloves so unfortunately Foakesy is missing out this game," said Stokes.
"It’s just for this Test match. Foakesy still is the number one gloveman in England and I’ll still keep saying that he’s the best keeper in the world. It must sound a bit silly to not be picking him, but you’ve got to look at the conditions we face out here.
"We didn’t have any of this on our radar before we started the first Test match. It is with the illness that Foakesy unfortunately had which allowed us to think like this. This is definitely no sign of Ben Foakes future going forward and in the dressing room.
"Adding Mark Wood into the side gives us the best opportunity to take 20 wickets. That’s what we came here to do, we came here to try and win games of cricket. He's fit and firing, and ready to go. Having someone in your squad who can bowl 150km/h is a massive bonus for any team around the world and is going to be massive for us."
Despite his workload from the first Test, Pope will continue to bat at three where he has flourished and scored a third hundred in Rawalpindi. Even if England bowl first and he is in the field for a lengthy period of time, Pope will stay at first drop.
If he feels tired, there is also the back up option of Ben Duckett to take the gloves for a time, but Pope's fitness is not in question, nor his ability to take the sort of catches he did last week, especially diving down the leg side.
Stokes added: " The performance that Popey put in last week as an individual was outstanding. To stand behind the stumps for the amount of time that he did after scoring a hundred and then standing in the field and going back out there and batting again, especially as someone who’s not used to doing that role.
"It’s a very crucial position out here and he took it in his stride and really enjoyed his time behind the stumps. I’ve just had a quick word with Ducky - it is very unlikely - but if circumstances mean that Popey is a bit tired he could take the gloves, albeit very unlikely."
