England captain Ben Stokes is scheduled to undergo a scan on his hamstring injury next week as the team evaluates his fitness for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan.
The first Test is set to begin on October 7, with Stokes‘s condition remaining a key focus for the England squad.
Stokes, 33, sustained his hamstring injury in early August, which forced him to miss England’s recent 2-1 series defeat to Sri Lanka. Despite this setback, he has remained actively engaged in training activities. Last week, he participated in an extended net session at Durham’s Chester-le-Street and also took part in the Celebrity Pro-Am at the PGA Championship golf event at Wentworth.
The upcoming scan is part of a routine monitoring process rather than a response to any new complications. Earlier this month, Stokes expressed a cautious approach to his recovery, stating, “I’d rather take an extra two weeks than run the risk of potentially doing something worse and then putting myself out of the game for longer.” This mindset highlights his focus on ensuring a full recovery before returning to competitive play.
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Despite his injury, Stokes has been named in the 17-man squad set to depart for Pakistan on October 1. If he is unable to participate in the first Test, Ollie Pope is expected to take over the captaincy.
Stokes’s potential return to the squad presents a selection dilemma for England. If the team opts to retain the balance they favored against Sri Lanka, Stokes would likely need to bat in the top five, which could displace a regular top-order batsman. Alternatively, England might revert to a strategy that utilizes four frontline bowlers, supplemented by Joe Root’s off-spin, a tactic they employed earlier this year when Stokes was sidelined with a knee injury.
In addition to Stokes’s situation, uncertainty remains regarding the venues for the three Tests. The original plan was to play in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan, but ongoing construction work in Karachi could affect its availability. While there had been speculation about potentially relocating some matches to the United Arab Emirates, it now appears that all three Tests will proceed in Pakistan.
As the series approaches, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see if Stokes can make a successful return and contribute to England’s efforts in what promises to be an exciting series against Pakistan.
