Ben Stokes cleared to participate in upcoming Test series against Pakistan

England cricket captain Ben Stokes has received the go-ahead to participate in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, with the series opener set to begin on October 7 in Multan. 

The all-rounder, who had been sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained during The Hundred tournament, has been cleared for action following a successful scan.

While Stokes is likely to take part in the series, his bowling abilities may be initially restricted as he continues to recover. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) remains optimistic about his involvement but has highlighted the necessity for ongoing assessments to gauge his bowling readiness.

Stokes has expressed confidence in his recovery, stating that he feels "good" and is focusing on strengthening his bowling. However, he has also emphasized the importance of safeguarding his body to prevent further injuries.

It is worth noting that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently announced its 15-member squad for the series opener against England, who had previously unveiled their squad for the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. The three-match Test series will take place in Multan and Rawalpindi from October 7 to 28.

Pakistan squad for first Test against England: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

England squad for Pakistan Test series: Ben Stokes (C), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.