Stokes on track for Pakistan Test tour, open to ODI return with 2025 Champions Trophy in sight

England captain Ben Stokes is "on track" to feature in the upcoming Test series in Pakistan after undergoing scans on his hamstring injury.

Stokes led England to a historic 3-0 sweep in Pakistan two years ago in his first overseas assignment as captain after taking over from Joe Root. The clean sweep in 2022 was the first time a visiting team had whitewashed Pakistan at home.

Stokes was sidelined for England's recent Test series against Sri Lanka due to the hamstring tear he suffered playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred on August 11.

Ollie Pope stood in as Test captain as England won the Sri Lanka series 2-1.

But Stokes is likely to resume his role as skipper against Pakistan after the 33-year-old all-rounder's positive scan results.
England fly out to Pakistan next Tuesday for a three-match Test tour that gets under way in Multan on October 7.

"England Men's Test captain Ben Stokes today underwent planned scans on the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Test series against Sri Lanka," the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Wednesday.

"The results of the scans were positive and confirmed that his recovery, since sustaining the injury six-and-a-half weeks ago, remains on track to participate in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan."

Balance of Test side

Although Stokes may be ready to lead, he is unlikely to bowl in the early part of the tour. England is cautious about his long-term fitness.

Ben Stokes reacts during the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2022.Reuters

Speaking to Sky Sports, Stokes was asked if he was likely to be able to bowl in the first Test and said: "I think that's you getting ahead of yourself. Obviously I've been six-and-a-half weeks now of just walking and doing stuff in the gym.

"There's a lot more than just my hamstring that I need to get back firing and work up again in terms of bowling."

Stokes' inability to bowl may force England into a selection dilemma. If he only bats, England could be forced to drop one of their top-order players. To avoid this, they could opt for a bowling combination they used earlier in India when Stokes was sidelined from bowling due to a knee injury, with Joe Root providing off-spin support.

ODI return

Meanwhile, Stokes has expressed his willingness to return to England's white-ball team under new coach Brendon McCullum, though no discussions have occurred yet. McCullum’s appointment as head coach for all formats came after Matthew Mott’s departure as limited-overs coach in July.

The New Zealander will take charge of the limited-overs sides when England tour India in January.

Stokes has been a key part of the Test squad since McCullum took charge in May 2022 but has played sparingly in England white-ball sides.

Ben Stokes batting against Pakistan during the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne.

He retired from One-day Internationals before returning for last year's ODI World Cup and last played a Twenty20 International in the World Cup final in November 2022.

"I've played a lot of white-ball cricket for England and I'm very happy and content with what I've achieved in that form of the game," Stokes told Sky Sports.

"If I get the call to come and play, then obviously it's definitely going to be a yes. But I'm not going to be too disappointed if I don't - it means that I can just sit back and watch everyone else go out and smack it.

"Me and Baz (McCullum) have not spoken about anything like that whatsoever."

Champions Trophy in Pakistan

Stokes has already played pivotal roles in England’s victories in two of their three major white-ball tournament wins.

The upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan could be a prime opportunity for England to reclaim their place as a leading white-ball team, having missed the semifinals in the last two ICC tournaments.

A fully fit Stokes would offer England the flexibility to bowl up to 40 seam overs in an innings, alongside three other fast bowlers.

The Champions Trophy is a prestigious prize, and McCullum will likely want Stokes at full strength for his first global tournament as England’s white-ball coach.