Wed Oct 09 06:42:28 UTC 2024: ## Pakistan Cautious Despite Stokes Absence as England Aim for Revenge in Multan
**Multan, Pakistan:** Pakistan captain Shan Masood has warned his team not to underestimate England despite the absence of their injured captain Ben Stokes for the first Test, starting Monday in Multan.
While Stokes’ absence is a significant blow, Masood highlighted England’s strong all-round squad, boasting two spinners and three fast bowlers, and a deep batting lineup.
“We all know the quality of Ben Stokes,” Masood said on Sunday. “He is one of the top all-rounders of the world. But England’s strength will not lessen with one individual missing. They are still very competitive.”
England aim to avenge their 3-0 defeat in the 2022 series, the first time Pakistan had been swept at home. This time, however, England come into the series on a painful losing streak, winless in their last 10 home Tests and suffering a humiliating 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh last month.
Despite missing key bowlers like James Anderson and Stuart Broad, Masood cautioned against underestimating England’s new pace bowlers, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse.
Meanwhile, Pakistan have welcomed back their pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Aamer Jamal for the first Test. The team hopes to end their 10-match winless streak in home Tests, dating back to February 2021.
The three-match series will continue in Multan for the second Test, starting October 15, before concluding in Rawalpindi on October 24.
First Piper 