Ben Stokes looking to comeback for Pakistan tour

The 33-year-old English Test captain Ben Stokes is working on his fitness. He is working hard to make his comeback during the forthcoming Pakistan tour.

During his participation in the Hundred for Northern Superchargers, the star English all-rounder Ben Stokes tore his left hamstring. As a result, he was ruled out for the rest of the home summer. However, Stokes has been included in the English squad for the ongoing home Test series against Sri Lanka.

I'm all good, just slowly progressing: Ben Stokes

Just a few days ago, Stokes started his training. On Tuesday (August 27), Stokes talked about his progress. 

In an ECB video, Stokes said, "I'm all good, just slowly progressing. It's still very early days in the rehab period… I want to get back as quick as I possibly can, so being around the medical team here with physio and doctors, I thought that was going to give myself the best chance of getting back sooner rather than later."

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England will land in Pakistan on October 2. England will play a three-match Test series in Pakistan, which will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. Multan will host the Test series opener, starting on October 7, while Karachi (from October 15) and Rawalpindi (from October 24) will host the next two Tests of the series. 

England last time toured Pakistan in late 2022, where they won the three-match Test series by 3-0 and the seven-match T20I series by 4-3. 

England’s stand-in Test captain Ollie Pope feels confident about Ben Stokes’ fitness. He believes that Stokes will be “as fresh as anyone” during their upcoming tours in Pakistan and New Zealand. 

Zak Crawley and Mark Wood are also on the injury list

On the other hand, Zak Crawley is also targeting the Pakistan tour for his comeback from the injury. The English opener is unavailable for the ongoing home Test series against Sri Lanka due to his broken little finger in a split.

English fast bowler Mark Wood is also on the injury list. He recently suffered a right thigh muscle strain during the opening Test of the ongoing three-match home Test series against Sri Lanka. He is also out from the ongoing series, while Olly Stone is ready to replace Wood in the playing XI for the second Test of the series at Lord’s.