Pakistan v England: Ben Stokes ‘on track’ to participate in three-Test series

Speaking to Sky Sports on Tuesday, 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 working up again in terms of bowling, because you use everything, so I need to get that all right to make sure I don’t do any damage to other parts of my body.”

On his recovery, Stokes added: “I’m all good. I have my six-and-a-half week scan tomorrow and we’ll know more from that, but I am feeling good,” Stokes said.

“It was a hamstring tear which sneaked into my tendon. That’s why it takes a week or two longer than a normal hammy. Rehab has gone really well so hopefully everything tomorrow gets the the all clear and start pushing it a bit more.”

In Stokes’ absence from the Sri Lanka series, England opted to cover for the all-rounder by moving wicketkeeper Jamie Smith to number six and playing an extra bowler.

The scenario of Stokes only being able to bat would potentially leave England with a selection decision.

If they were to continue with the balance they favoured against Sri Lanka, England would have to bat Stokes in the top five, therefore squeezing out one of their regular top order.

To avoid that scenario, England could revert to four frontline bowlers, supplemented by Joe Root’s off-spin, a tactic they favoured when Stokes was unable to bowl because of a knee injury in India earlier this year.

England won 3-0 on their last visit to Pakistan in 2022, the first time a visiting team had recorded a three-Test clean sweep in the country.