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Ben Stokes has returned to England’s Test squad as a skipper in the ongoing series against Pakistan. England are already 1-0 up in the series with a famous win in the first Test, and the return of Stokes as captain will provide more strength to England’s strong squad. On the other hand, the hosts Pakistan took a bold decision to drop their big players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah from the remaining two Tests of the series. When asked regarding the absence of these three players from the rest of the series, Ben Stokes gave a subtle reply and said he has nothing to do with what's going inside the Pakistan cricket team.
During the press conference ahead of the second Test in Multan, a reporter asked Ben Stokes, “How do you see Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and fast bowler Naseem Shah’s absence in the Pakistan cricket team. Answering this, Stokes replied, “Just everything on that, that’s a Pakistan cricket issue, nothing to do with me.” The second Test will be played at Multan Cricket Stadium from October 15 to 19.
I am playing as a third seamer: Ben Stokes confirms he will bowl in Test series against Pakistan
Ben Stokes is finally set to make his return on the cricket field after recoverin from a hamstring injury during the Hundred this year. England’s Test skipper has now returned to the squad along with Matt Potts, replacing Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson. With so much questions still buzzing regarding his fitness, Stokes himself confirmed that he will bowl in the second Test against Pakistan and play as a third seamer.
“Look, it’s obviously got to be sensible. I am playing as a third seamer. To be honest playing on a used wicket has made the decision a little bit easier. You’d like to think it’s going to spin a bit more. We have two workhorses in the team, Carsey and Pottsy, who will just keep going and going,” Stokes was quoted as saying by The Cricket Gazette.
“But I am available to bowl and when I sense the time is right for me to perhaps come on and make an impact, there won’t be any doubts in my mind that I can come on and bowl but you’d like to think that might be a bit more in favour of the spin,” he further added.
