He has scored 114 first-class runs since the start of 2020, spread across nine innings, the most recent of them in August 2021. But he has often reiterated his desire to play Test cricket and his ability to spin the ball both ways, bowling both legspin and offspin, has opened up an opportunity.

Lees will also be in contention for the Lions squad but, after being a notable omission from England's list of central contracts, he has now lost his place in the Test team too, despite playing in all seven games this summer. He has shown glimpses of his ability in international cricket, and bought into the positive approach favoured by Stokes and McCullum - particularly during the 378-run chase against India at Edgbaston - but has managed only two half-centuries and an average of 23.84 across 19 innings for England.

The ECB are in the process of recruiting a new, full-time selector but Rob Key, England's managing director, picked this squad along with McCullum and Stokes, with inputs from the ECB's talent ID department. The Lions squad is due to be announced next week.

Key worked on the most recent Test series staged in Pakistan - Australia's 1-0 win in March - as a broadcaster. "The selectors have picked a squad for the conditions we can expect in Pakistan," he said. "There is a strong blend of youth and experience and players who will adapt well to the types of pitches we are likely to get across the three-match series.

"We are looking forward to touring Pakistan as a Test team for the first time since 2005," Key added. "It will be a historic tour and a compelling series against a good side. I wish the players every success, especially those new to the squad and those returning after a period of time away."

England are due to arrive in Abu Dhabi on November 18 and will play a three-day warm-up match against the Lions from November 23-25. They will fly to Pakistan on November 26 and play Tests at Rawalpindi (December 1-5), Multan (December 9-13) and Karachi (December 17-21).

England squad: Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes (wk), Will Jacks, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood