The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to unveil the schedule for the eagerly awaited three-match Test series against England within the next couple of days. As anticipation builds for this high-stakes series, concerns linger over the fitness of England’s captain, Ben Stokes, casting a shadow over the upcoming matches.
Ben Stokes, who suffered a hamstring injury in early August, has been named in England’s 17-member squad for the Pakistan tour. Despite his inclusion, Stokes is not yet fully fit and is scheduled to undergo a scan next week to determine his availability for the first Test, slated to begin on October 7.
The PCB has decided to host the Test matches in Multan and Rawalpindi, with the first two Tests planned for Multan. This decision was influenced by ongoing construction work in Karachi, which has been excluded as a venue. The PCB aims to leverage the conditions in Multan to their advantage, although there is a contingency plan to hold the first and third Tests in Rawalpindi if necessary.
After a lackluster performance against Bangladesh at home, having been whitewashed 2-0 in the recent Test series, the pressure is on Pakistan to bounce back. Currently, the Shaheens are sitting at 8th place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) rankings. The team will have a huge challenge in the shape of a strong England side who will be vying for the first and second spot on the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
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