Ben Stokes Returns To Lead England In 2nd Test Against Pakistan

Star all-rounder Ben Stokes will lead England in the second Test against Pakistan, which is set to take place at Multan Cricket Stadium from Tuesday (October 15). The left-handed batting all-rounder was included in England’s playing XI on Monday for the second match of the series. Stokes had missed England’s last four Tests due to a hamstring injury, which he suffered in August while playing in the men’s Hundred competition.

The 33-year-old cricketer replaced Chris Woakes in the playing XI. Woakes played in the first Test against Pakistan, which England won by an innings and 47 runs in Multan last week.

Apart from Stokes, Durham pacer Matthew Potts is also included in the playing XI for the second Test in place of Gus Atkinson.

“Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have confirmed England will make two changes to their team to face Pakistan in Multan for the second Test. England Men have confirmed their XI for the second Test against Pakistan, which is set to commence on Tuesday in Multan. Seamers Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes are rested. England captain Ben Stokes returns after missing the last four Test matches. He has fully recovered from a hamstring tear, which has kept him on the sidelines since early August. Durham seamer Matt Potts returns to the side for the first time since the Lord’s Test against Sri Lanka at the end of August,” ECB said in a release.

In Stokes’ absence, Ollie Pope led England in the last four matches and won three.

England would like to win the second Test against Pakistan to seal the series in Multan itself. In the series opener, the visitors produced a super show in the last three days to stun Pakistan after it posted a total of 556 runs in the first inning.

For the second Test, Pakistan has dropped Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Ahmed from the squad, whereas spinner Abrar Ahmed was not available for selection due to dengue fever.

England’s playing XI for the 2nd Test against Pakistan: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Brandon Carse, Matt Potts, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir.