Olly Stone to leave Pakistan tour for wedding

MULTAN: England fast bowler Olly Stone will be flying back to the UK on Wednesday to get married this weekend. Stone, who recently took seven wickets in two Tests against Sri Lanka, was not selected for the first Test in Multan, allowing him to leave earlier than planned.

Brydon Carse was chosen as England’s high-pace option for the first Test, which started on Monday. England’s management supports Stone’s decision to leave, as his wedding was arranged long before his recall to the national team.

Stone discussed his plans with managing director Rob Key and coach Brendon McCullum, who agreed he should head home. Stone expressed his gratitude to his fiancée, Jess, for her support and sacrifices, stating, “For what she has given up and sacrificed for me, I thought the least I could do was to try and make it work.”

Joe Root, England’s former captain, conveyed the team’s best wishes, saying, “It’s a special time in anyone’s life. I’m really excited for him. We’ll all be raising a cold water to him at some point, celebrating.”