England’s cricket team faces a significant setback as captain Ben Stokes has been officially ruled out of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan, starting October 7. Stokes, who has been recovering from a torn hamstring sustained during The Hundred tournament two months ago, confirmed his absence after a training session on Saturday.
Stokes’ Injury Update
Stokes has been sidelined since early August and was hopeful about making a return for this crucial match. However, after participating in training, he acknowledged that he is not yet fully fit for competitive play. “I did everything I could to prepare myself for this match, but I made the decision to sit this one out since I haven’t fully achieved match readiness,” he stated in an interview with BBC Sport. He further emphasized the importance of caution in his recovery, saying, “My rehabilitation program requires a lot of attention.”
The 33-year-old all-rounder expressed frustration at missing the game but remains optimistic about his recovery timeline. “Even though I won’t be on the field, I have a goal in mind,” he added, indicating that he is now targeting the second Test, which begins on October 15.
England’s Leadership and Team Adjustments
In Stokes’ absence, Ollie Pope will continue as captain for the fourth consecutive match. Pope previously led England to a 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka and will now guide the team through this challenging series against Pakistan.
.With Stokes unavailable, Chris Woakes is poised to play his first overseas Test in two-and-a-half years, while Brydon Carse is likely to make his Test debut. Carse has impressed in recent ODIs against Australia and is favored for his extra pace and batting capabilities.
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Training Insights
During training in Multan, Stokes focused on shuttle runs and batting practice but took a cautious approach due to his ongoing recovery. He faced spin from Rehan Ahmed and local bowlers but did not fully engage in bowling drills. Stokes had previously indicated that he would prefer to take extra time to ensure he does not exacerbate his injury, given the high recurrence risk associated with hamstring injuries.
Zak Crawley, one of England’s openers, commented on Stokes’ recovery process, stating that while he seems to be progressing well, there are still uncertainties regarding his fitness for future matches. “He seems to be recovering well from his injury… but we don’t know just yet,” Crawley said.
Team Selection Considerations
As England prepares for their first Test against Pakistan, they are expected to finalize their playing XI shortly. The team is likely to include two spinners—Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir—while Gus Atkinson has overcome a thigh injury and is also in contention.
If Stokes is ruled out entirely, England may opt for a more balanced side with four specialist bowlers and rely on Joe Root’s off-spin to fill the gap left by Stokes’ absence. The conditions in Multan are expected to be challenging, with temperatures reaching up to 36°C.
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