On the fourth morning in Karachi, a victory by eight wickets was attained, giving Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum nine victories from ten Tests. The skipper, who was out in the middle as Ben Duckett hit the winning boundary to complete a 167-run target that was achieved in just 28.1 overs, was appropriately in position.
In an effort to exceed McCullum’s record set during his playing days, Stokes attempted the 108th six of his Test career. Despite the fact that he was unable to break free of the rope during the 40 minutes of play, this, along with a record series run rate of 5.5, summed up a team that was exempt from the weight of responsibility.
Unbelievable series win in Pakistan!! So proud of the team, thanks for the amazing support 🏴🏴 pic.twitter.com/2IxBKmdtov
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) December 20, 2022
Later to Sky Sports, Ben Stokes said:
“It won’t really sink in until we get home or in the new year but we understand what we’ve done is pretty special. To win 3-0 out here, it will be something to be really proud of.
“I think just releasing that fear of failure is why we’ve produced the results. When you take that burden off individuals and the team, you see players excelling and showing more within themselves.
“No one is worried about getting out. You don’t want to get out … but when that fear of failure isn’t there, you’re not tentative and you make better decisions.
“It is a great time to be in this dressing room and playing for England. I’m just encouraging everyone to turn up every day and enjoy what you’re doing. Obviously it is easier to do when we are winning the way we are at the moment. We’ve had Jimmy Anderson smiling, which is an impressive thing in itself.”
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On Rehan Ahmed, Ben Stokes said: “It takes you back to when you’re a kid. Leg spinners are a gem to have, they can change the game and we saw that yesterday afternoon when he bowled us to victory.
“For an 18-year-old to have the ability he does – and he’s not the finished article – it’s seriously exciting. We’ve got something good on our hands, let’s let him progress and not hold him back.”
Ben Stokes also said that he is not looking too ahead of the game. They have just won a historic series and it is time to get relaxed and let the things come to place. Next, England will tour New Zealand in February and certainly that will be a challenge. Despite all these matters, Ben Stokes added: “I obviously have my eye on the Ashes and have got little things about that in the back of my head.
“We will just continue to grow as a team, spend more time as a unit and keep having fun; playing cricket with a smile on our face and win as much as we can.”