England opener Emilio Gay confirmed fit for Pakistan Test as his first red‑ball match since June's New Zealand series ends.

Emilio Gay, England's left‑handed opening batsman, has been cleared to play in the team's first Test against Pakistan on 19 August. Gay sustained a shoulder injury while playing for Durham against Middlesex in a One‑Day Cup match and retired hurt on Friday. A scan performed on Saturday found no serious damage, confirming his fitness for the upcoming match. He will participate in a four‑day game for a Professional County Club Select XI against the tourists at Beckenham on Wednesday. The game serves as a tune‑up before Headingley and marks Gay's first red‑ball match since the June New Zealand series. England’s squad has already adapted to recent personnel changes, with Ben Stokes retiring and Jacob Bethell ruled out because of a knee injury. Key teammates for the Pakistan Test will include seamers Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, and Ollie Robinson, plus off‑spinner Shoaib Bashir.