England will be without the services of their star all-rounder Ben Stokes for the remaining two Test matches of the ongoing Test series against Pakistan as their star cricketer will need to be with his ailing father in New Zealand.

Stokes will leave the United Kingdom for New Zealand later this week and hence miss the next two matches against the sub continent team at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton,conformed by ECB on Sunday.

Stokes's father Ged was hospitalised last December in South Africa during England's tour and has been since recovering in New Zealand.

England took a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series against Pakistan after winning a thriller of a Test match at Manchester on . England won the series opener on the back of a resilient and gritty sixth wicket partnership from their wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes after being in a spot of bother while chasing down 277 at Old Trafford.

Stokes did not have a good outing with the willow in the Manchester against Pakistan scoring 0 and 9 while taking two wickets in the second innings.

England continue to build on their impressive run at home in red ball cricket amid the Covid-19 era after securing a hard fought 2-1 series win over the West Indies which also saw Ben Stokes leading the 'Three Lions' for the very first time in Test cricket and him contributing to his team's win with a stellar all-round performance.