Ben Stokes (Source – Twitter/X)
In positive news for England fans, Ben Stokes is well on course to recover in time for the upcoming tour of Pakistan next month after undergoing scans on his injured hamstring.
The legendary England all-rounder suffered the injury while playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred 2024 earlier this year. He subsequently missed the three-match Test series at home against Sri Lanka. England’s red-ball skipper said he had zeroed in on the Pakistan tour to mark his comeback. On Wednesday, September 25, ECB revealed that Stokes underwent scans and the results confirmed that he is on the right track to recovery.
“Ben Stokes today underwent a planned scan on his hamstring injury. Results confirmed his recovery remains on track ahead of the Test tour to Pakistan,” England Cricket said in a statement.
Ben Stokes today underwent a planned scan on his hamstring injury.
Results confirmed his recovery remains on track ahead of the Test tour to Pakistan
🇵🇰 #PAKvENG 🏴 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/hUWZZMq9ft
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 25, 2024
While Stokes could not ply his trade against Sri Lanka, he trained with the Three Lions, who were led by Ollie Pope against Sri Lanka.
Less than two weeks for Ben Stokes to recover
The first Test in the three-match series between England and Pakistan gets underway on Monday, September 7, at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Therefore, Stokes has less than two weeks to regain full fitness. The second and third Tests begin on October 15 and 24, respectively. Multan Cricket Stadium will also host the second Test before the action shifts to Rawalpindi for the final encounter.
Also Read: England’s women domestic players to be granted basic salary equality from 2025
England beat Sri Lanka 2-1 at home and have moved to No. 5 in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. Meanwhile, Pakistan are languishing at No. 8 after being whitewashed in a two-match Test series at home by Bangladesh.