England's Ben Stokes to miss rest of Pakistan series

All-rounder to fly to New Zealand where his parents live later this week, ECB says

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  England's Chris Woakes celebrates winning the first Test against Pakistan in Manchester on Saturday, August 8. Reuters

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  Chris Woakes celebrates after hitting the winning runs during play on the fourth day of the first Test match between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford in Manchester. AFP

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  England's Jos Buttler plays a shot as Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan keeps wicket. AFP

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  Stuart Broad of England sweeps past Abid Ali of Pakistan. Getty

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  Shaheen Afridi of Pakistan celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Ollie Pope in Manchester. Getty

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  Shadab Khan of Pakistan takes the catch of Ollie Pope. Getty

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  England's Chris Woakes plays a shot during play on the fourth day of the first Test. AFP

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  England's Stuart Broad, left, and Chris Woakes scores runs off Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi. PA

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  Yasir Shah of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Jos Buttler. Getty

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  Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq looks on during day four of the first Test in Manchester. Getty

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  A Pakistani fan plays saxophone next to the ground at Old Trafford. AP

Ben Stokes will miss the rest of England's series against Pakistan for family reasons.

The all-rounder is set to fly to Christchurch in New Zealand, where his parents live.

“Stokes will leave the UK later this week and travel to New Zealand,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement.

“He will miss England's two Test matches against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday 13 August and Friday 21 August.”

Stokes had played all four of the bio-secure Test matches so far this summer, including captaining England’s Test side for the first time, against West Indies.

He is understood to have informed his teammates of his decision to leave the squad after they completed their three-wicket win over Pakistan at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Last winter, his father Ged was hospitalised with a serious illness.