England’s all-rounder will not be included in the rest of the Test series against Pakistan for personal reasons.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement that “all-rounder Ben Stokes will not be included in the remaining matches of the Rizdi Bat Test series against Pakistan due to family reasons.”
“Stokes will leave the UK for New Zealand this weekend and will miss both the Tests against Pakistan starting August 13 and August 21,” the statement said.
The board asked the media to maintain privacy without informing Stokes about his resignation.
According to popular cricket website Kirk Info, Stokes’ father Gad was hospitalized last year during a tour of England before the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, but returned home after recovering.
Ben Stokes is the vice-captain of the England team and recently led in the absence of Root in the first Test against the West Indies.
The veteran all-rounder was instrumental in the series win against the West Indies.
It may be recalled that the first match of the three-match Test series between Pakistan and England has been played in which England has taken the lead by defeating Pakistan by 3 wickets.
Ben Stokes did not perform well in the first match against Pakistan, but Jazz Butler and Chris Vokes led the team to victory in the second innings.
The second Test of the series against Pakistan and England will start on August 13, which is very important for the visiting team.