England's tactical moves in Test series paid off in Pakistan, says Ben Stokes

England signed off on its first test tour to Pakistan in 17 years with an emphatic eight-wicket win

Captain Ben Stokes believes England adapted well to the conditions in Pakistan with its aggressive and bold tactical moves to register the country’s only second 3-0 test series sweep in the subcontinent.

Stokes’ predecessor Joe Root led England to its only other sweep on the subcontinent when it beat Sri Lanka 3-0 in 2018. And England’s ‘Bazball’ approach to test cricket under new coach Brendon McCullum, a long-time star for New Zealand, was the determining factor in Pakistan losing a three-test home series 3-0 for the first time.

England signed off on its first test tour to Pakistan in 17 years with an emphatic eight-wicket win on Tuesday on the fourth day of the final test in the cricket fortress of Pakistan – National Stadium.

“It won’t really sink in until we get home or in the new year,” Stokes said after scoring an unbeaten 35 in England’s run-chase that was led by Ben Duckett’s powerful 82 not out off 78 balls. “We understand what we’ve done is pretty special … it will be something to be really proud of.

“Coming into subcontinental conditions … everything we’ve tried has come off. I’ve learned a lot in terms of the tactical side, that’s the best thing to come out of it.”

McCullum described England’s nine wins in the last 10 test matches as “quite an incredible ride” under Stokes' brand of aggressive cricket.

“We’re definitely comfortable with nine out of 10,” McCullum told the Pakistan Cricket Board’s digital podcast. “The side is walking in his sort of style now and playing the way that he likes the game to be played, it’s been absolutely fantastic.”