Tag: MultanTest

England captain Ben Stokes is set to make his long-awaited return to competitive cricket in the second Test against Pakistan in Multan, starting October 15. Stokes, who suffered a hamstring injury while playing in The Hundred, has been named in England’s playing XI for the second game at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

The 33-year-old all-rounder has been bowling and batting without any discomfort in the nets in the lead-up to the match. In his absence, Ollie Pope led England to a comprehensive victory in the series opener last week.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have made some significant changes to their team ahead of the second Test, dropping former captain Babar Azam and star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. When asked about these changes, Stokes declined to comment, stating that it was an internal matter for Pakistan cricket.

Stokes missed the three-match home series against Sri Lanka and last week’s first Test, which England won by an innings. Durham seamer Matthew Potts also returns to the side for the first time since the Lord’s Test against Sri Lanka at the end of August. Seamers Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes have been rested.

With England dropping two pacers, Stokes confirmed that he will be “playing as a third seamer” alongside Potts and Brydon Carse, who impressed on his debut in Multan.

Pakistan became the first team in Test cricket’s 147-year history to lose by an innings after posting a 550-plus total in their first innings. Under pressure to level the series, Pakistan have named three frontline spinners in their team.

They have made four changes, including bringing in batter Kamran Ghulam for his debut.

England captain Ben Stokes is poised to make a timely return for the second Test against Pakistan, scheduled to commence on Tuesday in Multan. The 33-year-old all-rounder was sidelined for the first Test, which England convincingly won by an innings and 47 runs, with Ollie Pope leading the team in his absence.

An official spokesperson for the England team confirmed that Stokes actively participated in practice sessions with the squad on Sunday. Should he be deemed fit, Stokes is likely to replace Chris Woakes in the playing XI. The announcement of England’s team lineup, typically made two days prior to a Test match, will be postponed until Stokes’s fitness is thoroughly assessed on Monday.

“Ben bowled approximately four overs at full pace today. He engaged in high-intensity running and had a 45-minute batting session in the nets,” the spokesperson stated. “He will undergo further evaluation after today, and a decision regarding his availability will be made within the next 24 hours.”

Stokes sustained a left hamstring tear while batting during the Hundred competition in August, which prevented him from participating in England’s recent 2-1 home series victory over Sri Lanka, which was also captained by Pope.

The return of Stokes, a pivotal figure in England’s Test setup, would provide a significant boost to the team. His all-round abilities, including his aggressive batting, incisive bowling, and exceptional fielding, make him a formidable asset.

If Stokes is cleared to play, it will be a welcome development for England as they seek to consolidate their advantage in the three-match series. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back from their heavy defeat in the first Test and level the series in Multan.

England captain Ben Stokes is poised to make a timely return for the second Test against Pakistan, providing a major boost to the tourists’ hopes of securing a series victory.

Stokes missed England’s historic triumph in the first Test in Multan due to a torn hamstring sustained in August. However, his deputy Ollie Pope hinted that the all-rounder is on track to feature in the second Test, which begins in Multan on Tuesday.

“He’s looking to come back,” Pope told Sky Sports during the first Test. “He’s been training really well this week. He’s as keen as ever to get playing again, so fingers crossed he’s all good.”

Stokes’ return would be a significant addition to an England side that has already shown its resilience and adaptability in Pakistan. The tourists overcame a first-innings deficit to secure a thrilling 74-run victory in Multan, with Pope leading the way in Stokes’ absence.

The England captain has been a key figure in the team’s recent resurgence under coach Brendon McCullum. His aggressive batting and inspirational leadership have played a pivotal role in England’s transformation from a struggling side to one of the most exciting teams in world cricket.

If Stokes is fit to play, he will likely slot back into his usual position at number six in the batting order. He will also be expected to contribute with his medium-pace bowling, which has proved effective in both Test and limited-overs cricket.

Stokes’ return will be a major blow to Pakistan, who will be looking to level the series in Multan. The hosts will be hoping that their bowlers can exploit the conditions and restrict England’s batting lineup, which has been in impressive form in recent months.

The second Test promises to be a fascinating contest between two evenly matched sides. England will be aiming to build on their momentum from the first Test, while Pakistan will be determined to bounce back and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in their own backyard.