Ben Stokes, England’s captain, did not mince words after his team’s commanding innings-and-45-run victory within three days, directly confronting what he labeled a media “agenda” against Ollie Pope. Stokes expressed frustration that his earlier comments about Jacob Bethell’s potential return were “twisted to suit an agenda,” aiming to cast doubt on Pope’s secure position in the team.
The captain made it unequivocally clear that Pope, who scored a century in the match along with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, is an invaluable asset. Stokes passionately articulated Pope’s significance as both a player and, critically, as his “vice-captain” and a “leader” he leans on extensively. This public rebuke underscores Stokes’s determination to protect his players from external pressures and maintain team morale.
Adding to England’s success story was the outstanding performance of young spinner Shoaib Bashir. The 21-year-old took career-best figures of six for 81, contributing significantly to his nine wickets in the match. Stokes lauded Bashir’s “unbelievable natural ability” and rapid progression, suggesting a very promising future. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine, meanwhile, acknowledged his team’s struggles with bowling consistency and missed batting opportunities, emphasizing the lessons learned from the tour.