Cricket

England Test Skipper Ben Stokes Opens Up On Security Concerns In Pakistan

Ben Stokes has appeased his fears of security concerns in Pakistan after receiving positive advice from their security personnel.

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Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes (Source: Twitter)

The England team, led by Ben Stokes, has arrived in Islamabad ahead of their first Test series on Pakistani soil in 17 years. The local authorities greeted them warmly ahead of their three-match series against Babar Azam & Co., which begins on Thursday, December 1.

England were scheduled to visit Pakistan last year, but their trip was cancelled after New Zealand cancelled their tour minutes before the first ODI, citing security concerns. The Three Lions, on the other hand, have kept their promise by visiting the country this year.

This tour was jeopardised earlier this month when Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was shot in the leg while travelling to Islamabad for a campaign in East Punjab province. Stokes, on the other hand, has appeased his fears after receiving positive advice from their security personnel.

"It’s been a long time since England have played Test cricket in Pakistan. With what happened with Imran Khan recently, there was a little bit of concern, but we have Reg Dickason, who has been the security man for many years with England, and we left it in his capable hands," Stokes said in Abu Dhabi before leaving for Pakistan.

"In terms of the tour itself, I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve never been there, and I’m quite interested to see what the security lark is like. I’ve heard it’s pretty intense," Stokes concluded.

Earlier, the England Cricket Board shared a video of the English player reaching Pakistan for the historic Test series. "Touchdown in Pakistan for our Men’s Test squad!" read the caption of the video.

Here is Ben Stokes & Co. reaching Pakistan

England Test squad:

Ben Stokes (c), Joe Root, James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes (wk), Will Jacks, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Rehan Ahmed

Pakistan Test squad:

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (VC & wk), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood

pakistan England Ben Stokes Pakistan vs England 2022