BEN STOKES has been given the green light to captain England’s Test tour of Pakistan next month but he is still unlikely to bowl at the start of the series.

Stokes missed his side’s last three matches against Sri Lanka after tearing his hamstring while playing for Northern Superchargers on August 11 and has stepped up his recovery in recent weeks.

The 33-year-old has been back in the nets ahead of final scans on the injury, with the results showing he is on track to lead his side out in Multan on October 7.