England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes, is determined to return to the team for the upcoming series against Pakistan.
Stokes missed the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka due to a hamstring injury he sustained during The Hundred 2024. He tore his left hamstring while playing for the Northern Superchargers, forcing him to sit out the rest of the summer season.
England is scheduled to tour Pakistan in October for a three-match Test series as part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25. The first Test is set for October 7 in Multan, with the England team expected to arrive in Pakistan on October 2.
In a video shared by the England Cricket Board (ECB), Stokes mentioned that he is still in rehabilitation but has chosen to stay with the team to be close to the physio and doctors.
“I’m doing well, just making slow progress. It’s still early in the rehab process. I want to return as quickly as possible, so staying with the medical team here, with the physio and doctors, gives me the best chance to recover sooner,” said the England Test captain.
England last toured Pakistan in 2022, where they whitewashed the hosts 3-0 in the Test series.
Meanwhile, England’s interim captain, Ollie Pope, expressed optimism that Ben Stokes will rejoin the squad for the Pakistan series.
“Injuries are never ideal, but they also provide opportunities for players to improve and reflect on their game. I’m sure Stokes is working hard in the nets. Heading into the Pakistan series and then New Zealand, he’ll be as fresh as anyone,” Pope added.
