[Watch] Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes play golf in Multan ahead of PAK vs ENG 1st Test

England’s regular Test captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Chris Woakes took some time out to play golf ahead of the opening game against Pakistan in Multan, which starts on Monday, October 7. The Durham and Warwickshire duo are part of the 17-member squad for the three-match Test series.

In a video doing the rounds on X, Stokes and Woakes were seen in golf outfits. Watch the clip below:

Notably, Ben Stokes is doubtful for the first Test as he continues to recover from his hamstring tear that forced him to miss the recently concluded home Test series against Sri Lanka. About his availability, opener Zak Crawley said:

"He seems to be going well, recovering well from his injury. We don't know just yet. I think he's got to do a few more tests, but he's been doing some running and stuff."

Even if Stokes plays the opening Test against Pakistan, he is unlikely to bowl. In such a scenario, England will have to decide how to balance their side. In his absence, England played five specialist bowlers against Sri Lanka. Stand-in-captain Ollie Pope led the hosts to a 2-1 win over the Islanders.

How Ben Stokes has fared against Pakistan in Tests?

Ben Stokes enjoys a mediocre record against Pakistan in Tests. The left-handed batter has amassed 351 runs in 17 innings at an average of 21.94 with the help of a solitary half-century. With the ball, he has picked up 13 wickets in 12 innings.

In his last Test series in Pakistan, Stokes scored 173 runs in six innings and took one wicket during the three-match Test series. Under his leadership, England completed a 3-0 clean sweep against the Men in Green in the 2022-23 series. This was their first Test series win in Pakistan after the 2000/01 series.

Stokes will now look to continue their dominance against Pakistan, who are yet to win a home Test in their last 10 games.

England's 2024 tour of Pakistan:

1st Test: Oct 7-11 in Multan

2nd Test: Oct 15-19 in Multan

3rd Test: Oct 24-28 in Rawalpindi