Ben Stokes struggles to comprehend Pakistan journalist's question in press conference, politely asks for clarification multiple times

England Test captain Ben Stokes was left scratching his head when a journalist tried to inquire about whether England could replicate their formidable total from Multan in Rawalpindi. The question was unclear, leading to a few unsuccessful attempts before Stokes jokingly requested the reporter to repeat the question three times. Eventually, he was able to understand and respond accordingly.

Stokes then responded with a wry “That would be nice.”

This exchange, which quickly circulated on social media, drew reactions from fans who enjoyed the interplay, with one user quipping, “Koi aur banda hi repeat kr deta question, 3 bar usi ne kiya [Someone else could have repeated that question, he himself did it thrice].”

Another remarked with, “Thought that wasn’t bad for subcontinent style of speaking,” while another speculated, “Embarrassing yr kya reporters hai, aur Stokes Jaan bhuj ke ans nhi kr rha syd [Embarrassing, what a reporter, maybe Stokes was also deliberately not answering].”

Beyond the pressroom fun, England’s on-field performance spoke volumes. In the opening Test match in Multan, England showcased their aggressive style by amassing a massive total of 823 in their first innings, which laid the foundation for a commanding victory. Winning by an innings and 47 runs, they set the bar high for the remainder of the series.

Rising star Harry Brook was particularly instrumental, carving out a sublime 317, a knock that earned him the Player of the Match award.

Pakistan, however, proved their resilience in the second Test by staging a strong comeback. In a spirited display, they defeated England by 152 runs, bringing the series level and setting the stage for a thrilling decider. With both teams having won one match each, the final showdown in Rawalpindi has fans and analysts alike anticipating a tense finish.

As the series hangs in the balance, England posted a moderate 267 in their first innings of the Rawalpindi Test, with Pakistan reaching 281/8 by the time of writing on Day 2.