PAK vs ENG: Why Ben Stokes want to bat first in final Test?
Credits: AFP
England captain Ben Stokes is preparing to take on a more prominent role with both bat and ball in the upcoming third and final Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
The Test, starting on October 24, follows England’s 152-run defeat in the second match of the series.
Stokes, who had been nursing a hamstring injury since the 2024 Hundred, was limited to just five overs per innings in the second Test but is now ready for an increased workload.
With Pakistan capitalising on spin-friendly conditions in the second Test, Stokes has stressed the importance of batting first to get a better understanding of Pakistan’s bowling attack.
"Batting first will give us a clearer understanding of how Pakistan's spinners operate," Stokes told BBC ahead of the match.
England has responded to the conditions by selecting three specialist spinners, including Rehan Ahmed, alongside Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach.
Stokes and Gus Atkinson are the only pace options in the squad. Stokes praised Rehan's potential to impact the game, highlighting his versatility with both bat and ball.
"Leg-spinners have an amazing ability to break a game open. Adding Rehan's free spirit and determination to change the game is a massive bonus for us," he said.
Despite Pakistan’s strong showing in the second Test, Stokes remains optimistic about England’s chances in the series decider. England will be looking to replicate their success from the 2022 tour when they swept Pakistan 3-0.
Pakistan’s spinners, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, played a crucial role in the previous match, taking all 20 wickets. Stokes acknowledged the challenging conditions but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to adapt.
"I've never been a groundsman, but you'd think a rake would assist the spin. We’ll see how it goes, but I'm optimistic about how we can perform," Stokes added.
England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.