PAK vs ENG, 2nd Test: England likely to stick with Ollie Pope behind stumps

Pope is likely to keep wickets in next Test [Source: Associated Press]

England are likely to stick with Ollie Pope behind the stumps for the 2nd Test against Pakistan in Multan on Friday.

Pope stood for the ill Ben Foakes in the opening Test match, which England won by 74 runs.

It was only the second time that Pope had kept wickets in Test cricket after his Surrey teammate, Foakes was ruled out of the first Test due to an illness.

He had a good game with the bat in hand in the opening Test. Pope scored a sublime century batting at number three, but had mixed fortunes with the gloves. Pope dropped a sitter in the first innings and failed to judge a catch when England needed just a solitary wicket to seal the match. 

However, he took a smart stumping and also an acrobatic catch when England were pushing for victory.

Stokes on the playing combination

"We found ourselves in that situation and still picked a team that was strong enough to win. We'll consider all our options," Ben Stokes said.

Considering the workload management, England might be tempted to rest James Anderson for the next Test. With the news coming that Mark Wood is fit enough to play, he can be slotted in the playing XI in place of Anderson.

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