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Ollie Pope to join the Lions

Surrey batsman will travel to the UAE from Sri Lanka on Wednesday to join the red and white-ball squads

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."

England Test Squad in Sri Lanka