England announce squad for Pakistan T20I, Ben Stokes set for 1st start since traumatic WC final

London: All-rounder Ben Stokes is set to play his first international T20 match since his traumatic experience in the World Cup final earlier this year after being named in the squad for next Wednesday’s match against Pakistan. The 25-year-old has not played T20 international cricket since the West Indies’ Carlos Brathwaite smashed him for four successive sixes in the final over of April’s World Cup final to seal an unlikely victory for the West Indians. [caption id=“attachment_2985230” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Ben Stokes was hit for 4 consecutive sixes by Carlos Brathwaite in the last over of the T20 World Cup Final. AFP[/caption] Stokes is joined for the game at Old Trafford by Durham county team-mate Mark Wood in a squad that includes nine of the team which beat Sri Lanka in their previous T20 match in July. Captain Eoin Morgan can also call on the experience of prolific batsman Joe Root, who is named in the squad alongside all-rounder Moeen Ali and Alex Hales. All three were rested for the Sri Lanka match earlier in the summer. “It is excellent to see the progress we are making in white ball cricket across both formats,” said national selector James Whitaker. “The IT20 international against Pakistan will give the squad another opportunity to measure their development. “The squad has an exciting feel with exceptional talent throughout. “We are delighted to welcome back Ben Stokes and Mark Wood into the squad. Both are world-class players and are an important part of our long-term plans to become the best side in the world. “It is testament to the excellent work being nurtured in the county structure and through the England Lions, that there is a depth of quality pushing the nucleus of the current group.” Squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Mark Wood