Ben Stokes, England's Test captain, is uncertain to play in the second Test against Pakistan in Multan. His hamstring injury continues to trouble him, raising doubts about his availability.
Stokes has been struggling with injuries for nearly two years. Though he missed the ongoing first Test, there are now concerns about his participation in the upcoming game as well.
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Stokes's absence has raised concerns as England needs to perform well in the ongoing Test series. His captaincy and all-round performance have always contributed to England's success. However, injuries have kept him off the field.
What did Ben Stokes say about his injury?
Stokes's knee problems resurfaced during The Hundred 2024 competition. These recurring issues have forced him to stay away from international cricket.
Despite undergoing rehabilitation, the all-rounder revealed that he had not fully recovered. He added that his focus remains on getting fully fit, considering the upcoming matches and the toll his body has taken over the years.
"I tried my hardest to get myself fit for this first game but I've taken the call to miss this one. I've not quite managed to get game-ready. There is a lot that has to go into my rehab program. We got to a certain point, but looking at the bigger picture of what we've got coming up and physically where I'm at, I'm not quite ready to play," Stokes said, as quoted by Sky Sport.
MORE: Ben Stokes has been ruled out of England's first Test
England's World Test Championship hopes under pressure
England faces a tough challenge in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. With six Tests remaining, they need to win all their matches to stay in contention for the championship.
Stokes's injury adds further pressure to the team’s campaign, making the task even harder. The team is now left with a crucial decision—whether to push Stokes to play despite his condition or rely on their current squad without him.
Pakistan's strong start in the first Test on Day 1
Meanwhile, Pakistan has made a strong start to the first Test. They won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite an early setback, Abdullah Shafique and captain Shan Masood built a solid partnership of 258 runs.
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After stumps on Day 1, Pakistan reached 328/4, with Shafique scoring 102 runs and Masood scoring 151. England’s bowlers will have to put in extra effort, especially without Stokes, to bring their team back into the match.
Stokes's injury remains a big concern for England ahead of the second Test. His absence could impact the team’s chances in both the current series and the WTC.
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