PAK v ENG: Speedster Wood to replace Livingstone for Multan Test

MULTAN: England’s fiery pacer Mark Wood will replace injured Liam Livingstone in the second Test against Pakistan, commencing on Friday at Multan International Stadium. 

England captain Ben Stokes on Thursday confirmed the inclusion of the right-arm pacer into the team, saying he would add to their abilities to take 20 wickets.

“Having someone in the squad who can bowl at 150 km per hour is a great bonus for any team,” he said on Tuesday in a scheduled press conference ahead of the Multan Test.

The spearhead pacer missed the opening Test due to fitness concerns as he was recovering from a hip injury he sustained during England’s successful T20 World Cup campaign. But Stokes has now confirmed that he is fully fit to play the second Test starting tomorrow.

England are leading the historic three-match series against Pakistan, the first in 17 years on the latter’s home soil, by 1-0 after their sensational win in the first Test by 74 runs in Rawalpindi.