The England team is on a tour of Pakistan for a 3-match test series. The PAK vs ENG first Test will be held from October 7 to 11 at the Multan Cricket Stadium, followed by the PAK vs ENG second Test from October 15 to October 19 at the same venue. The PAK vs ENG Test series will then conclude with the third Test to be held from October 24 to 28 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Ben Stokes is still not fully fit, may be out of the first test match against Pakistan

In the same year, Ben Stokes was injured in The Hundred due to which he was ruled out of the England vs Sri Lanka Test series played at home. In such a situation, there was a possibility of him playing against Pakistan, but the bad news for him and the team is that he is still fit and may be out of the team in the series also.

Stokes has been included in the team as captain for the Pakistan series, but he will not take the field for the first Test starting in Multan from October 7. Opening batsman Jack Crawley revealed that the captain will still need to undergo a few tests before being declared match-fit.

Furthermore, a report in The Independent also mentioned that Stokes looked uncomfortable while batting in the nets and bowled at a slow pace.

Captaincy will be handed over to Ollie Pope again

If Stokes does not come to the team on time, the responsibility of captaincy will once again fall on the shoulders of vice-captain Ollie Pope. The stand-in captain recently led England to a 2-1 series win against Sri Lanka at home, but he faced a lot of criticism for his timid attitude and the way responsibility affected his batting.

The last time England toured Pakistan, it was Stokes’ first overseas tour as Test captain. He gave the team a clean sweep of 3-0.