ICC World Cup 2023: Ben Stokes sends warning signal to Pakistan with a century

Ben Stokes continued his late-found form in the ICC World Cup 2023 as the English all-rounder fired 108 against the Netherlands in Pune on Wednesday (November 8), sending warning signals to Pakistan, who are all set to face them next in a do-or-die encounter on November 11.

While England are already out of the semifinal run, Pakistan are hanging by a thread and need a one-sided result against the English if they wish to replace New Zealand sitting at the last semifinal spot on the points table. However, Ben Stokes's recent century, after a 63 against Australia, is something that will worry Pakistan camp.

England can't afford to relax too despite being out of the title run as a top-eight finish is their immediate objective with ICC Champions Trophy 2025 spot at stake. Victories against the Netherlands and Pakistan are a necessity and will be counting on Ben Stokes, along with Dawid Malan, as the most in-form batter.

Ben Stokes batted in full swing on the day as he hammered six sixes and as many fours during the course of his innings while helping England recover from 192/6 in the 36th over to a massive 334/9. He was the last English batter to fall on the day while tailender Chris Woakes scored a crucial half-century (51). The duo added 129 runs for the seventh wicket.

Apart from the two of them, Dawid Malan kept the English innings together till his dismissal after unfortunately getting out on 87, triggering a middle-order collapse before their Test captain came to the rescue.

Stokes' and Malan's forms will add to the worry of Pakistan management with their pace bowlers misfiring in the last game as all of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali gave away 80-plus runs.

Pakistan, who have recovered to consecutive wins through heroics of Fakhar Zaman, must be wary of their precarious situation at the ICC World Cup 2023 so far, which included a run of four back-to-back losses.