Ben Stokes Returns for England’s Second Test Against Pakistan in Multan
England’s cricket team, led by Ben Stokes, is gearing up for the second Test against Pakistan in Multan. Stokes, returning from a hamstring injury, is confident in his ability to bowl and make an impact. England aims to strengthen their position in the ICC World Test Championship after a significant win in the first Test, where Pakistan lost by an innings and 47 runs.
Stokes, who has been managing his bowling workload since knee surgery, is now ready to contribute as a full-fledged all-rounder. He praised Ollie Pope, who led the team to victories in Stokes’ absence, and emphasized the importance of teamwork under the ‘Bazball’ approach with coach Brendon McCullum.
England’s strategy includes two main spinners, Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir, with Joe Root offering part-time spin. Stokes plans to manage his bowling workload sensibly, especially on the used pitch expected to favor spinners. The team is focused on embodying togetherness and prioritizing team success over individual achievements.
The first Test’s result moved England to fourth place in the World Test Championship standings, while Pakistan fell to last place. England’s playing XI for the second Test includes Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir.
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Ben Stokes -: Ben Stokes is a famous cricket player from England. He is known for being an all-rounder, which means he is good at both batting and bowling.
Test -: A Test match is a type of cricket game that lasts up to five days. It is the longest form of cricket and is played between international teams.
Pakistan -: Pakistan is a country in South Asia. It has a national cricket team that plays against other countries in international matches.
Multan -: Multan is a city in Pakistan. It is known for its historical sites and is one of the places where cricket matches are held.
Hamstring injury -: A hamstring injury is when the muscles at the back of your thigh get hurt. It can make it hard to run or play sports.
All-rounder -: An all-rounder in cricket is a player who is skilled at both batting and bowling. They can help the team in multiple ways.
ICC World Test Championship -: The ICC World Test Championship is a tournament for Test cricket teams from different countries. Teams compete to be the best in the world.
Ollie Pope -: Ollie Pope is another cricket player from England. He is known for his batting skills and sometimes leads the team when the main captain is not playing.
Spinners -: Spinners are bowlers in cricket who make the ball spin when they bowl. This can make it hard for the batsman to hit the ball.
