**England Faces Harsh Reality Check After Pakistan Tour: Questions Arise Over Squad Selection and Stokes's Captaincy Ahead of Ashes** As dawn broke in England, the final wicket fell in Pakistan, marking a disappointing end to the tour. Jack Leach was stumped by Mohammad Rizwan after an ill-timed attempt to attack a wide delivery from Noman Ali, who had cleverly bowled it fast and flat, anticipating Leach's advance. At that moment, England held a fragile lead of just 35 runs, and commentator Ramiz Raja, caught up in the excitement, prematurely declared a historic victory for Pakistan. In truth, the match had already slipped away from England when Joe Root was dismissed for 33. The contest concluded shortly after, with Shan Masood sealing the win with a six, leaving England to reflect on a bruising series that raised significant questions about their squad selections and Ben Stokes's leadership as they prepare for the challenging Ashes series ahead.

Ollie Pope has lauded his teammates Joe Root and Harry Brook, referring to them as “two greedy Yorkshiremen” for their outstanding performances that propelled England to a commanding victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Multan. England declared at an impressive total of 823 for seven, thanks to the remarkable contributions from Root and Brook over the course of days three and four. Pope expressed his admiration for their skill and fitness, emphasizing the importance of their mindset in achieving such a monumental score. “We knew if we batted like we can, we could go big, and those two did exactly that,” he stated. “Their skill was exceptional, but it was their fitness and determination that really stood out. Knowing we needed a substantial score kept them pushing towards those massive numbers, and they put us in a fantastic position to win the game. What they accomplished was truly special.” Looking ahead, Pope highlighted the depth of talent within the batting lineup, suggesting that other players are also capable of stepping up in future matches. “We believe that on different days, various players will rise to the occasion,” he added.