Ben Stokes appointed England team coach [Source: AFP Photo]In a surprising turn of events, England Test captain Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali have joined the coaching department of the England Lions for the upcoming white-ball series against Pakistan Shaheens, starting next month. The tour comprises three T20Is and five ODI games as the Lions will receive guidance from the likes of Stokes and Moeen Ali.Interestingly, the England side has largely relied on Youth Programs, winter franchise leagues and County Championships to groom the youngsters, as the nation last played a Youth T20I game in late 2018, and they last featured in the ODIs in 2023 against Sri Lanka.Why Stokes and Moeen Ali will join coaching staff?According to ESPNCricinfo, Stokes and Moeen Ali will join Andrew Flintoff in the England Lions' coaching team. Stokes will use the tour for rehabilitation from the groin injury he sustained during the fifth Ashes Test vs Australia in Sydney. Stokes had previously worked with Flintoff as the skipper played the role of Northern Superchargers mentor in The Hundred last summer.On the other hand, Moeen, who reversed his retirement decision, will take part in the upcoming T20 Blast, and will slowly transition himself into the coaching role, and the upcoming series will give him that exposure.Apart from Stokes and Moeen, the other members of the coaching staff are Neil McKenzie, Sarah Taylor, Neil Killeen, Amar Rashid and Troy Cooley.What Stokes and Moeen Ali will bring to the tableFirst and foremost, the two England stars will bring in a wealth of experience as the Lions squad members can learn from the traits of the two senior players. Stokes is a competitive player, and he will bring in the same competitiveness as the Lions aim to tame down Pakistan in the white-ball series.The matches will take place in Abu Dhabi, and Moeen Ali has the experience of playing in those conditions, and the all-rounder will help the spinners get their basics right on such spinning wickets.A detailed look into England's Lions side for Pakistan seriesThe Lions named a 16-member T20I squad with Jordan Cox set to lead the team. James Coles, who had an impressive SA20 season, has also been drafted into the team.Apart from them, there is Saqib Mahmood in the side, who is coming back after a lengthy knee injury that kept him on the sidelines. Tom Moores and Nathan Sowter have also been included in the side, while Dan Mousley, who has already played seven times for the senior team, will lead the 50-overs side.England Lions T20I and ODI squadT20 squad: Sonny Baker, Luc Benkenstein, James Coles, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox (capt), Scott Currie, Calvin Harrison, Eddie Jack, Saqib Mahmood, Ben McKinney, Tom Moores, Dan Mousley, Matt Revis, Will Smeed, Nathan Sowter, Mitchell Stanley, Asa Tribe.50-over squad: Sonny Baker, Luc Benkenstein, James Coles, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Scott Currie, Calvin Harrison, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Dan Mousley (capt), Liam Patterson-White, Matthew Potts, Matt Revis, James Rew, Mitchell Stanley, Asa Tribe, James Wharton.
