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England captain Ben Stokes has dismissed media-driven doubts about Ollie Pope’s role, calling out “agendas” and affirming Pope’s status as a key leader and player. Stokes revealed he had reassured Pope before the Test, underscoring the strong leadership dynamic within the squad.
The team’s unity was on full display as England defeated Zimbabwe by an innings and 45 runs, with Pope, Crawley, and Duckett all reaching three figures. Stokes’s backing of Pope sent a clear message about the team’s confidence and direction.
Shoaib Bashir, just 21, delivered a standout performance with six wickets in the second innings. Stokes described Bashir’s progress as “scary” and lauded his natural talent, pointing to a bright future for the young spinner.
