5 October 2024
Recovering Stokes ruled out of first Pakistan Test
England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan due to an ongoing hamstring injury. Ollie Pope will continue as stand-in captain, leading a team that includes debutant pace bowler Brydon Carse. Stokes, who has been sidelined since August with a hamstring tear, remains uncertain for the second Test on October 15. England will field three pacers and two spinners, with Zak Crawley returning to the squad after recovering from a finger injury.READ FULL