PAK vs ENG, 3rd Test: Ben Stokes Left Confused By Pakistani Journalist's Broken English, Video Goes Viral - Watch

In the lead-up to the decisive third Test between Pakistan and England at Rawalpindi, an amusing yet awkward moment involving England captain Ben Stokes and a Pakistani journalist went viral. Stokes, one of cricket’s most composed and strategic captains, found himself bewildered as the journalist struggled to articulate a question in English. This light-hearted exchange, which quickly made the rounds on social media, not only added a touch of humor to the otherwise intense Test series but also highlighted the often humorous unpredictability of international press conferences.

Ben stokes is me trying to understand british english accent _

pic.twitter.com/HnJErcOL2S

— Shuja (@ShujaaAzmi) October 23, 2024

The Viral Moment: Stokes’ Bemusement

As the pre-match press conference unfolded, the Pakistani reporter attempted to ask Stokes whether England could replicate their colossal 823-run total from the first Test in Multan. However, the reporter's broken English made it difficult for Stokes—and everyone in the room—to understand the question. After several failed attempts to clarify, Stokes politely responded with a simple, bemused, “That would be nice,” which only added to the charm of the moment. The awkward yet humorous exchange had the internet buzzing, with clips of the incident spreading like wildfire on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter).

The England skipper’s reaction—one of confusion mixed with a good-natured grin—showed his ability to handle the situation with grace. Despite the language barrier, Stokes maintained his composure and tried to engage with the journalist as best he could. His reaction turned the brief encounter into a viral sensation, with fans praising Stokes for his professionalism and sense of humor.

England's Strategy Heading Into the Series Decider

While the viral video added a lighter moment to the tense atmosphere surrounding the match, the focus quickly shifted back to the cricket itself. After winning the toss, Stokes opted to bat first on a spin-friendly Rawalpindi track. England's strategy, underpinned by Stokes’ tactical nous, was clear: get runs on the board early, allowing their spinners to dominate on a deteriorating pitch later in the match.

England’s spin trio of Jack Leach, Rehan Ahmed, and Shoaib Bashir were expected to play a pivotal role. Stokes expressed confidence in his bowling unit, stating, "We don't know exactly how the wicket will play, but we've taken as much information from it as we can." With Rawalpindi known for its sluggish, spinning surfaces, Stokes placed significant emphasis on starting strong with the bat to give his team the upper hand as the match progressed.

Pakistan’s Spin-Heavy Attack: A Repeat of Multan?

On the other side, Pakistan's strategy was to capitalize on their home conditions and their potent spin attack. In the second Test at Multan, spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali had played crucial roles in taking all 20 England wickets, a feat they hoped to repeat in Rawalpindi. Pakistan's captain, Shan Masood, and head coach, Jason Gillespie, were counting on their spin-heavy bowling attack to dismantle the English batting line-up once again.

For Pakistan, this Test held extra significance. After a tough year in international cricket, including squad changes and the dropping of star players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, a series win against England could mark a major turnaround in their fortunes. The unchanged XI, including the deadly spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, were ready to exploit Rawalpindi's conditions to the fullest.