England captain Ben Stokes is set to make his return to competitive cricket after recovering from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two months. Stokes was named in England’s XI for the second Test against Pakistan in Multan, beginning on October 15.
The 33-year-old trained without discomfort in the nets, ready to join his team after missing the first match, which England won convincingly under the leadership of Ollie Pope. Stokes’ return comes alongside the inclusion of Matthew Potts, who has been recalled to the squad for the first time since August.
England has rested seamers Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes, with Stokes confirming that he will take on the role of the third seamer, supporting Potts and Brydon Carse, who impressed in the first Test.
Pakistan’s Surprising Team Changes
Pakistan has made several notable changes ahead of the second Test, including dropping former captain Babar Azam and star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. The decision to omit these key players has raised questions about the team’s strategy, especially as they aim to recover from a record-breaking loss in the first Test, where they became the first team in history to lose by an innings after posting a 550-plus total.
Under pressure, Pakistan has gone 11 Tests without a home win, and they are introducing three frontline spinners in the hope of leveling the series. Batter Kamran Ghulam has also been brought in to make his Test debut.
Stokes’ Response to Pakistan’s Selections
When asked about the exclusion of Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, Stokes declined to comment, stating that it was an internal issue for Pakistan cricket. He distanced himself and his team from the matter, saying, “It has nothing to do with me.” Stokes focused instead on England’s preparations, acknowledging the importance of the second Test while remaining unconcerned about Pakistan’s selection choices.
England will look to build on their strong start in the series as they aim to secure a win in Multan.
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