Ben Stokes ruled out of 1st Test against Pakistan, Brydon Carse named replacement

New Delhi: England’s regular Test captain Ben Stokes’ return has been delayed and he has been ruled out of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan. Stokes has been recovering from a hamstring injury since August, which also kept him out of the Test series against Sri Lanka. However, there were doubts about his fitness from the beginning and it was believed that Stokes would miss the first Test against Pakistan.

England on Saturday named pace bowling all-rounder Brydon Carse in their playing eleven after regular captain Ben Stokes was ruled out from the first Test against Pakistan.

In Stokes’ absence, vice-captain Ollie Pope took over the command against Sri Lanka and under his leadership the team won the series 2-1. England has announced the playing 11 for the Multan Test and once again the command has been handed over to Pope. A three-match Test series is to be played between Pakistan and England. Pakistan’s form is not good and England will be looking to take advantage of it. England Cricket said in a statement, Ben Stokes is still recovering from hamstring, due to which Ollie Pope will take charge of the team in his absence.