Ollie Pope to join the Lions tour of the UAE

England and Surrey's Ollie Pope will join the Lions for their tour against Pakistan A in the UAE.

The 20-year-old, who is currently in England's Test squad touring Sri Lanka, will leave the senior party on day one of the second Test due to start on Wednesday in Kandy.

The right-handed batsman will be available for the unofficial Test against Pakistan A starting on November 18 in Dubai and the five unofficial ODIs and two IT20s. The Lions return to England on December 9.

"It is important that Ollie is playing and the selection panel felt that to aid his development the best course of action is for to him to go and play for the Lions in a competitive series against Pakistan A," said England head coach Trevor Bayliss

"Ollie needs some game time before the West Indies Test tour early next year and will get more out of playing competitively for the Lions rather than spending the next three weeks in Sri Lanka on the sidelines. He will get the opportunity of playing up to eight matches across all formats in the UAE."

Schedule

November 18-21: Four-day match v Pakistan A, Abu Dhabi

November 25: First 50-over match v Pakistan A, Dubai

November 27: Second 50-over match v Pakistan A, Dubai

November 29: Third 50-over match v Pakistan A, Abu Dhabi

December 2: Fourth 50-over match v Pakistan A, Abu Dhabi

December 5: Fifth 50-over match v Pakistan A, Dubai

December 7: First T20 v Pakistan A, Abu Dhabi

December 8: Second T20 v Pakistan A, Abu Dhabi

ENDS