Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been named the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year, while Ben Stokes landed the Test Cricketer of the Year award.

Babar was outstanding with the bat in 2022, scoring 2,598 runs in 44 matches at an average of 54.12 and raking up eight centuries.

The prolific right-hander was the only player to reach the 2,000 landmark in the calendar year across all formats and led his side to the T20 World Cup final, which they lost against England at the MCG in November.

It was the most successful year of Babar's career, earning him the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy. Babar was also named the Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year.

Stokes also enjoyed a year that he will never forget, making a huge impact after being appointed as England Test captain.

The all-rounder could not have wished for a better start to a new era with him as skipper and Brendon McCullum head coach, turning England's fortunes around with an incredible transformation in a short space of time.

England had won only one of 17 Tests when Joe Root stepped down, but secured series wins over New Zealand and South Africa, beat India in a rearranged Test and celebrated an unprecedented 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan away from home.

Stokes led the side brilliantly as an aggressive brand of cricket paid dividends, while the all-rounder produced another match-winning innings to seal a victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup final.

He scored 870 runs at an average of 36.25 last year and took 26 wickets at an average of 31.19.

India run machine Suryakumar Yadav is the Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year, having scored 1,164 runs in 31 matches at an average of 46.56 and a strike-rate of 187.43.

Nat Sciver also starred for England in 2022 and was on Thursday named as the winner of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year.

All-rounder Sciver scored 1,346 runs and claimed 22 wickets from 33 international matches, starring as England were runners-up in the Women's Cricket World Cup 2022,

Sciver made a magnificent unbeaten 148 from only 121 in a defeat against Australia in the final.

Pakistan will not follow Australia in pulling out of their bilateral series against Afghanistan.

Cricket Australia (CA) this month withdrew from a scheduled ODI series against Afghanistan, which was due to take place in March, because of the Taliban's treatment of women.

CA announced it was opting out of the series following consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Australian government.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) described that decision as "an unfortunate attempt to enter the realm of politics and politicise the sport", accusing CA of "prioritising political interests over the principles of fair play and sportsmanship".

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi on Monday vowed that Babar Azam's side will be taking on Afghanistan in what will now be a Twenty20 International series rather than ODIs at an offshore venue.

Asked about the PCB stance on the reasons for Australia's withdrawal, he said: "That is not our business and we don't like to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

"My personal stance is that politics and cricket shouldn't be mixed up, so following that principle the series is subject to pending approvals from the Pakistan government and I think approvals will be granted."

Sethi explained why the matches will be 20 overs per side rather than 50, with both teams already assured of a place in the World Cup this year.

He added: "I met with the executive members of Afghanistan Cricket Board and they were asking us to play an [ODI] series, but we didn't find any attraction playing the series.

"It's mainly because the series was meant for the [Super League] points, and now no matter who wins it won't make a difference. So we agreed to play a series of three T20Is in Sharjah just after the PSL [Pakistan Super League], subject to government approval.

"We will share 50 per cent of the revenue from the series equally and we will jointly outsource the production."

Mickey Arthur will not be taking over as Pakistan head coach for a second time as the South African is committed to Derbyshire.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) held talks with Arthur with a view to appointing him as successor to Saqlain Mushtaq, whose contract expires at the end of next month.

Arthur only signed a new three-year deal to extend his tenure as Derbyshire head of cricket last month and the vastly experienced 53-year-old will not be returning for another spell with Pakistan.

A PCB statement released on Tuesday said: "The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed it has been in talks with former national team head coach Mickey Arthur with a view to appointing him as the head coach to guide the side through to the ACC Asia Cup, ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

"However, owing to his long-term contract with Derbyshire, we have also discussed a proposal to act as a consultant to the PCB on a time-sharing basis with Derbyshire.

"Unfortunately, however, this option is proving difficult to materialise for various reasons on both sides.

"Under the circumstances, the PCB will continue its search for the right person to fit the slot of the national team head coach and some top names are already under consideration."

Arthur masterminded Pakistan's 2017 Champions Trophy triumph in England and also took the team to the top of the Test and Twenty20 International rankings before leaving the role in 2019.

Sarfraz Ahmed believes his century on the final day of the second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi was the best of his career.

It was not enough to secure what would have been an unlikely win, though, with stumps on day five agonisingly called for bad light despite the hosts being just 15 runs short of their target, while New Zealand only needed one more wicket for victory.

Pakistan had been struggling on 80-5 as they chased a target of 319, but Sarfraz's terrific knock of 118 was ably supported by Saud Shakeel (32), who later added another partnership of 70 with Agha Salman (30) to almost take the win before the umpires called it with Pakistan on 304-9.

It was the fourth hundred of Sarfraz's Test career, justifying the decision to call him back into the team for this series, and he said after the draw: "Definitely I have more hundreds, but this was [my] fourth innings hundred and in the fourth innings. It is not easy to bat anywhere in the world, so I think this is my best hundred."

Sarfraz has an average of 38.85 from 51 Test appearances since his debut in 2010, and is just eight runs short of 3,000 as he ended the series with a total of 335 runs from four innings.

"I have been there with the team for four years and unfortunately I did not get a chance," he added. "But whatever cricket came my way, my effort was to keep playing my game and keep giving performances and if Allah wants then I would get an opportunity and I did get an opportunity.

"My state of mind wasn't very good when I came to bat the first time [in the series]. I was very tense, there was a lot of nerves. But the captain gave me a lot of confidence and the boys in the team gave me a lot of confidence. I backed my form from domestic cricket and had a good performance."

Michael Bracewell took 4-75, including the vital wickets of Sarfraz and Shakeel as New Zealand looked to close in on a win that would have secured them the series, which ended tied as both Tests culminated in draws.

Black Caps captain Tim Southee was in reflective mood, though, and praised Sarfraz for his defiance with the bat.

"We got ourselves to push for a win, but the way Sarfraz played sort of took the game away from us," he said. "It was a funny game, we saw in the end it was still up for grabs. 

"We knew from the nature of the surface that things could happen late in the Test, Sarfraz was probably the difference, we could've won had we got them [out] earlier."

New Zealand paceman Adam Milne's international return has suffered a setback, with a hamstring worry seeing him withdrawn from the ODI squad to tackle Pakistan and India.

Milne returned from five years away from the national team when he played two ODIs against India in November, but the 30-year-old later missed two domestic games for the Wellington Firebirds.

In a statement, New Zealand said there were "concerns about his preparation" and it was "considered too big of a risk" to take Milne, leading to a "mutual agreement" he would be replaced by Blair Tickner.

New Zealand, the world's top-ranked team in ODIs, face Pakistan in three matches from January 9, before heading to India for another three-match series, starting on January 18.

Selector Gavin Larsen said: "Adam was very up front with us about his concerns around the lack of one-day bowling loading for the upcoming tours.

"After chatting to him, we agreed his preparation leading into the tour wouldn't be sufficient for him to cope with the demands of back-to-back, three-game ODI series. We appreciate his honesty and his genuine desire not to let the team down."

Joe Root believes his decision to step down as England Test captain has been justified following a remarkable end to 2022 for Ben Stokes' red-ball side.

England became the first visiting team to win three matches in a Test series in Pakistan this week, taking them to nine victories from 10 Tests since Stokes replaced Root as skipper in April.

Prior to Root's decision to step down, England suffered a demoralising 1-0 series loss to West Indies and were thrashed 4-0 by Australia in the Ashes. 

With England now earning plaudits for their fearless style under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Stokes, Root has no regrets concerning the end of his time at the helm.

"We weren't performing," Root recalled in an interview with Sky Sports. "We weren't delivering what I thought we were capable of, and it had a massive impact on me away from cricket as well.

"If you can't even be yourself, then you aren't able to give what that role requires, lead in the right way or lead a group of players.

"For a number of reasons, it was the right thing to do, to step back. It needs someone to throw absolutely everything at it.

"As soon as I made that decision, it was quite clear that it was the right one, and I've not looked back. I gave everything to that role and threw everything at it. I am really proud of the way I went about that."

England's aggressive approach was on display as they posted their fifth-highest innings total in history (657) in their Pakistan opener, and Root feels the team's enjoyment of their new style has paid dividends.

"Brendon's got a very aggressive approach to how to play the game, I think Ben is even more aggressive! It is exciting," Root said.

"When you are 10, 12, or even younger, you're playing in the back garden – that's the feeling that you get – that raw enjoyment of smacking the ball, bowling fast, or spinning it miles. That's something you should never really lose as a player.

"It's easy to forget, in the hype of the pressurised environments and demands of constantly putting in performances and winning. But it is so important that you enjoy what you do, and you're more likely to get the best out of yourselves and it's something that we've paid quite a lot of attention to."

England will attempt to reclaim the Ashes on home soil in 2023, with the series set to begin at Edgbaston on June 16, and Root is enthusiastic about their prospects.

"Everything ramps up. The interest around Test cricket in this country goes up a notch," Root said of playing in a home Ashes series.

"It's a great opportunity for us, and with how we played our cricket under Ben last summer, it's a very exciting place to be with a big series like that coming around.

"We've proven to ourselves we can do it against two of the best teams in the world in our own conditions, so it will be great to take Australia on and take that one step further again."

Rehan Ahmed will forever be grateful to his mother, even if she was not in attendance to take in his England Test debut against Pakistan.

The teenager became the nation's youngest men's Test debutant when he was named in the side to face the hosts in Karachi for the third and final match of their tour.

The 18-year-old spinner grasped his opportunity to shine, taking seven wickets as England completed a series clean sweep at the National Stadium.

With two wickets in the first innings, Ahmed became the youngest bowler to take a five-for on debut in a men's Test in the second, while the last England spinner to post better match figures in their maiden game was Peter Such in 1993.

Ahmed's father was in the stands to see his son make history, though his mother was not in attendance.

The teenager knew she was praying for him however, writing on Twitter afterwards: "I can't put into words how I feel.

"Without my mother's prayers, I would never have got to this stage.

"I'm forever grateful to my mum, who unfortunately wasn't able to be here with me. However, her prayers are always with me regardless."

England batsman Ben Duckett believes it was "fitting" for Ben Stokes to help seal a historic series win over Pakistan, adding he does not think he will play in a side quite like the current Test team again.

The opener combined with his skipper to chase down the 55 runs required in Tuesday's first session on day four for an eight-wicket win in Karachi, to complete a historic 3-0 clean sweep.

No other touring side has ever achieved the latter feat in a Test series in Pakistan, with the result continuing to vindicate Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum's aggressive approach to red-ball cricket.

Duckett, back in the Test side for the first time since 2016, posted one century and three further half-centuries across six innings, but was more than happy to credit his captain for their success abroad this month.

"It was fitting that Ben Stokes was there," he told Sky Sports. "We played to our strengths and thankfully got off to a flier.

"I'm very happy. I tried to stick to my game. The mindset of this team from the start of the summer, it is brilliant to come in to as you have the full backing to play the game your way.

"I'm not sure I will play in a team like this again. We are willing to lose games to win and if you go with that mentality, all the pressure goes off you. We are just trying to enjoy it."

Though Duckett's resurgence has helped offer hope for the immediate future amid England's otherwise thin opening batsman options, it was the middle order where they thrived, with Harry Brook particularly impressing.

With 468 runs in five innings – including three centuries – the 23-year-old excelled in the conditions in Pakistan, and credited his displays to the freedom enjoyed under Stokes.

"It is a good feeling to come out here and do something no other team has done," he said. "We all put our hard work in, and we've been phenomenal.

"I've been out here a couple of times. It's quite lucky that I started my Test career out here and adapting to conditions as soon as possible. The way the team has been playing, I think I fit in quite well here."

With the Indian Premier League just around the corner, Brook's impressive performances in red-and-white-ball cricket – he was a member of the T20 World Cup-winning side – have him hopeful of a call.

"It is a competition I've always watched since I was younger and the best franchise competition out there," he added. "Hopefully I get picked up.

"[But for now] I'll be having some family time and a fair bit of food at Christmas."

Ben Stokes described England's tour of Pakistan as "perfect", highlighting his side's effort with ball as much as bat after they romped to an eight-wicket win in Karachi.

The captain and all-rounder combined with opener Ben Duckett to chase down the 55 runs required to complete a sweep against the hosts in Tuesday's first session, completing a 3-0 win.

Having won just two Test matches in their previous 30 attempts in Pakistan, England not only made their own history, but also became the first red-ball side to win every game of a three-match series in the country.

It continues Stokes' near-flawless start to his captaincy, less than a year after succeeding Joe Root, and he suggested their success came down to an unshakeable confidence in both sides of their game.

"It has been perfect," he said. "Whoever I threw the ball to, they seemed to deliver. A lot gets said about the way we bat, but the way we applied ourselves with the ball has been top drawer.

"It all comes down to belief. The belief I have in taking the guys out in the field with me. At no point did I not believe in the team and what we are trying to do.

"The confidence everyone has in themselves and the people around them is unbelievable. To be able to lead a group [like that], it is a very special feeling."

With regulars Jonny Bairstow and Stuart Broad missing, several younger players were able to stake their claim on the tour.

After impressing on the T20 tour in September, Harry Brook top-scored with a century in each match and 468 runs overall for the series, while teenager Rehan Ahmed claimed a five-for on debut in Karachi.

Stokes was reluctant to pinpoint individuals, claiming every player "has stood up at some point and delivered some kind of match-winning performance".

But he had no hesitation in highlighting the duo's contribution, adding: "Harry Brook has been unbelievable this series. The amount of runs [he has scored] and the way he has done it is a serious treat to watch.

"Rehan, [at] 18 years old. He is not the finished article but to have that ability to affect the game is exciting going forward for English cricket."

Having not played a red-ball tour in Pakistan amid security concerns since 2005, England's long-awaited return was celebrated by supporters on both sides, and Stokes was quick to thank them all too.

"We have got the best fans in the world, but the people of Pakistan who came out and cheered the game of cricket on, we felt the cricket we played was being celebrated and everyone enjoyed their time," he added.

"We came here to win but we also came to play an exciting brand of cricket and to get people in to watch. I want to say thank you to the people of Pakistan."

Ben Stokes and Ben Duckett took just 38 minutes on day four of the third Test to see England to an eight-wicket victory against Pakistan.

It completed a 3-0 series win for the tourists, the first time Pakistan have ever lost every match of a home Test series.

Starting Tuesday needing another 55 runs to chase down the overall target of 167 in Karachi with eight wickets remaining, Stokes and Duckett made a careful start initially, with just one boundary coming in the first four overs.

Back-to-back fours from Duckett off the bowling of Abrar Ahmed were followed by more steady batting from the pair, before Duckett hit the winning runs off Mohammad Wasim with another four to finish on 82 not out.

After securing what was England's ninth win in 10 Test matches since he and Brendon McCullum took the reins, Stokes – who ended unbeaten on 35 – described his team's performances as "perfect", adding: "We've got a process we want to play but the challenge was the different pitches for every Test.

"We stuck to our gameplans and adapted really well."

His opposite number, Babar Azam, was reflective but could not hide his disappointment at the result. 

"Definitely disappointment as a team," he said. "First innings, we lost back-to-back wickets, we were good in batches, but that moment cost us.

"Bowling [was also a problem], definitely, your best pacer [Shaheen Shah Afridi] is not fit so that cost us. A lot of positive things in this series, but also things that we lack."

Duckett's star continues to shine

The Nottinghamshire batsman did not exactly take his opportunity in 2016 when he faced Bangladesh and India, scoring just 110 across four Test matches against the pair.

Finally getting back into the England team six years later, he looked far more accomplished, scoring 357 across six innings in Pakistan at an average of 71.40, and hitting at least 100 runs in all three Test matches, before ultimately seeing his team home with another impressive outing in Karachi.

Brook announces himself on Test scene

Stokes and McCullum appear to have a gem in Harry Brook, who won the player of the match and series awards.

Speaking at the presentation, the 23-year-old, who scored three centuries in the series and averaged 93.60 runs, said: "This was probably my best tour so far, to win 3-0 here, no-one's done it before, it was phenomenal from the lads."

Rehan Ahmed described his five-wicket haul as a "dream come true" after the teenage debutant put England on the brink of a historic Test series whitewash in Pakistan on Monday.

Ahmed claimed two wickets on day one of the tour's third and final Test, but that was nothing compared with what was to come as the 18-year-old spinner tore through Pakistan on day three.

His match figures of 7-137 are the best of any England debutant since Peter Such's 8-145 against Australia in 1993, and have put Pakistan on the brink of suffering their first home Test series whitewash.

Having previously described Saturday as the best day of his life, Ahmed told BBC Test Match Special that Monday's display had left him reconsidering that assessment. 

"It's probably the best day of my life again! To get five on my debut is a dream come true. It's great," Ahmed said.

"I was thinking about the five-for. I'd be lying if I said I didn't. But at the same time, I was trying to forget it. The more you try and chase the wicket, it just won't happen." 

The highlight of Ahmed's performance came when his delivery had Pakistan skipper Babar Azam caught by Ollie Pope, just as the hosts appeared to have steadied the ship following Jack Leach's early three-wicket haul.

"I've bowled better balls and got wickets so just to get Babar Azam out is a dream come true," Ahmed said. "He's a very good player. Pope has got good hands so it's good the ball went to him. 

"I liked [Mohammad] Rizwan's wicket because I've been working on my leg spin for the last two years. To get one to spin on the other side was great."

Meanwhile, Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali saw his final Test innings end in disappointing fashion as he was bowled for a four-ball duck by Leach in his final outing before retirement.

Azhar struggled to hide his frustration when speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, saying: "You want to finish on a high and win your last game, you want to contribute. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. 

"It was a bit of a disappointment, so I have mixed feelings. I am thankful to the England and Pakistan team for giving me a send-off.

"I was more emotional in the first innings than the second. It was a nervy start in the first innings. I was quite calm in the second but I am a human being so there was some emotion. 

"I played down the wrong line and Leachy got me out. He has bowled really well in this series. It was my time to say goodbye to international cricket."

England closed in on an unprecedented whitewash in Pakistan as a five-for from debutant Rehan Ahmed decimated the hosts on day three of the third and final Test.

Having taken two wickets on day one at the National Stadium in Karachi, England's youngest Test debutant built on Jack Leach's three-wicket haul as the hosts crumbled.

After bowling Pakistan out for 216, England look certain to claim a convincing win after navigating the late dismissals of Zak Crawley and Ahmed to cut the deficit to 55 by stumps.

Leach's incredible spell at the end of the first session on Monday set the tone.

Having enjoyed a stroke of fortune when Shan Masood (24) was bowled reverse-sweeping, Leach followed up by dismissing Azhar Ali for a duck in his final Test innings before retirement and pinning Abdullah Shafique (26) leg before wicket.

Ahmed then came to the fore, claiming the crucial wickets of Babar Azam (54) and Saud Shakeel (53).

The 18-year-old's googly then accounted for Mohammad Rizwan just after he was dropped by Ollie Pope, before Joe Root and Mark Wood got in on the act.

However, the day belonged to Ahmed, who rounded off a terrific performance by drawing catches from Mohammad Wasim and Agha Salman as England were set 168 to win.

Ben Stokes' team wasted little time in reducing that target – Abrar Ahmed's late dismissals of Crawley (41) and Ahmed, who moved up the order to come in at three, surely not enough to provoke a turnaround.

Ahmed makes more history

Ahmed played a key role in teeing up what will surely be a success for England in Karachi, becoming the youngest bowler (aged 18 years and 128 days) to take a five-wicket-haul on debut in a men's Test match.

The last England spinner to record better match figures than Ahmed's 7-137 on debut was Peter Such, who managed 8-145 against Australia in 1993.

Ahmed might well have cemented his place in the Test squad heading into 2023.

Leach hits the summit

While Ahmed stole the headlines, Leach limited Pakistan by claiming three big dismissals in the space of two overs, becoming the leading wicket-taker in men's Tests this year in the process.

The wicket of Shafique was Leach's 46th of 2022, more than any other player in the format – South Africa's Kagiso Rabada is second with 45.

Harry Brook hopes he has given England's selectors a headache with his performances in Pakistan, but believes Jonny Bairstow should return to the team when he recovers from injury.

Brook scored 111 as England posted a first innings total of 354 on day two of the third Test in Karachi, taking a first innings lead of 50, though the hosts cut that to 29 after finishing the day on 21 without loss.

The 23-year-old has made three centuries in three Tests during the tour of Pakistan, vindicating captain Ben Stokes' decision to pick him as a replacement for Bairstow, who enjoyed a free-scoring 2022 before a freak leg injury ruled him out for several months.

Bairstow will be eyeing a return ahead of next year's Ashes series, and Brook says he would back him for an immediate recall, though hopes his own scintillating form has thrown a wrench into the plans of England's selectors.

Brook also broke Alastair Cook's record of 450 runs from 2015-16 to score the most runs by an English men's cricketer in an overseas Test series against Pakistan.

"Most selectors say they like headaches, so hopefully I've caused a very big migraine," he said after the close of play on Sunday. "It's too hard to say at the moment.

"I think Jonny is one of the best players, if not the best player, in the world. He was this summer anyway. For me, he comes straight back into the side.

"Obviously, I'm not selecting the team, but he's such a big player for the side, and he has been for so many years."

Brook acknowledged he had exceeded his own expectations with his form in Pakistan, after his latest century steered England ahead in the third and final Test of a series they have already won.

Having also helped England to the T20 World Cup in Australia, Brook said he is enjoying his achievements on tour.

"I actually said to one of my mates before I came out here that I would love to get two hundreds out here," he added. "So obviously to go one better is a very nice feeling."

Harry Brook scored a third century of the series as England finished the second day of the third Test against Pakistan with a 29-run advantage.

In-form batter Brook struck a brilliant 111 as the tourists recovered from 145-5 to post 354 all out in reply to 304 and Pakistan closed on 21 without loss on another absorbing day at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Having started the day on 7-1, England were in trouble after Nauman Ali (4-126) got rid of Ben Duckett before Joe Root edged his first ball to Agha Salman at slip.

Ollie Pope made an assured 51, but was on his way after being bowled by a beautiful delivery from Abrar Ahmed (4-150) and Ben Stokes was run out for 26 following a mix-up with Brook.

England needed Brook to deliver again after the calamitous loss of his skipper and he continued his purple patch with a stylish innings, putting on 117 for the sixth wicket with the impressive recalled Ben Foakes (64).

Brook showed a combination of great timing and power, scoring a third hundred in on his fourth Test, and Foakes showed his class with the bat to frustrate Pakistan.

Mohammad Wasim trapped Brook leg before to end his sublime knock, but Mark Wood (35) and Ollie Robinson (29) offered support for Foakes with enterprising knocks to enable England to take a lead.

Abrar cleaned up Robinson to end the innings, with Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood negotiating nine overs late in the day to reduce the deficit without any damage being done.

Brook's dream start continues

It was only in January that the 23-year-old Brook played his first England game and a Test debut followed in September.

He looks very much at home on the international stage, hitting three sixes and a further eight boundaries in his latest outstanding innings.

Foakes shows his class

Wicketkeeper-batter Foakes missed the first Test due to illness and Pope kept the gloves for the second Test as England wrapped up the series with one match to spare.

Back in the side for the final Test, Foakes gave yet another demonstration of his class with the bat – as well as being a brilliant keeper.

Rehan Ahmed's strong Test debut for England was aided by Ben Stokes' low-stakes approach to his captaincy, believes Stuart Broad.

The 18-year-old became the country's youngest male red-ball debutant, eclipsing Brian Close's 70-year-plus record, after making his bow against Pakistan in Karachi on Saturday.

In the third and final match of England's tour, Ahmed posted figures of 2-89, with only Jack Leach bowling more overs than the spinner as they skittled the hosts for 304 all out.

Broad, who has sat out the trip to Pakistan, suggested the teenager was able to play without pressure thanks to Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum's aggressive style to long-form cricket, crediting their impact as key.

"Leg-spinners can offer such variety," he told Sky Sports. "The bowling deserves a lot of credit.

"With Brendon and Stoksey, the mindset is nothing about run rate and as a young leg spinner, imagine what a mindset that is.

"He wouldn't have felt judged or under pressure; all they are saying is get us that one wicket to open the game up for us. The mindset played beautifully into his hands."

England are looking to seal a clean sweep after winning their first two games, and Ahmed is likely set to play a major part in helping to restrict Pakistan's second innings.

Former captain Michael Atherton believes Ahmed can stake a claim to be a long-term part of Stokes' plans, highlighting his improvement across his spells on the first day.

"We can all imagine what he was feeling at the end of his mark, but he quickly settled and got better," he added. "Temperament is the big thing, and he looks temperamentally sound."