Nick Hoult

Pakistan are preparing to play on a used pitch for the second Test in an attempt to force a result and level the series as Ben Stokes looks fit to return to captain England.

Zahid Mahmood, who was hammered by England for 235 off 33 overs in Rawalpindi two years ago, comes into the Pakistan XI - AP/Anjum Naveed

nick hoult Ben Stokes says he became ‘a tired grumpy old man' as England missed chances to dismiss Pakistan - Getty Images/Farooq Naeem

Wicket-keeper Jamie Smith and his partner are expecting their first child in December and his absence gives England a chance to blood Cox

nick hoult Jonathan Agnew is stepping down as the BBC's chief cricket correspondent after England's next Test match - PA/Mike Egerton

Exclusive interview: As he steps down as BBC cricket correspondent, Agnew reflects on how Test Match Special has changed

Captain says sorry for reacting to crucial dropped catches by ‘letting my emotions show in my body language’

Joe Root will play his 150th Test in Christchurch later this month and will come face to face with his ‘fab four' rival and Kiwi cutout of himself, Kane Williamson.

Having left the world’s best trailing in his wake, England’s star batsman now faces an intriguing run battle with New Zealand’s own talisman