New Delhi

England Test captain Ben Stokes will undergo a scan on his hamstring injury next week, ahead of the first Test against Pakistan, according to reports.

Stokes injured his hamstring while playing in the Hundred for Northern Superchargers against Manchester Originals last month. During a quick single, he pulled up with a painful injury and collapsed, clutching his left leg. He was assisted off the field and later returned to the dugout on crutches, which led to him being ruled out of the Sri Lanka Tests.

The upcoming scan is intended to assess Stokes’ recovery progress, rather than to address any new issues with the injury, as reported by the source.

Despite this setback, Stokes has been included in the 17-man squad for the Pakistan Tests, with the first match scheduled to start on October 7. If Stokes cannot play, Ollie Pope will step in as captain, a role he has previously filled during Stokes’ absence from the Sri Lanka series.

The venues for the three-match series in Pakistan are still to be confirmed. Originally set for Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan, the Karachi stadium’s ongoing construction might affect its availability. The Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to announce the final venues soon.