Dhaka, April 2 -- England star Ben Stokes has withdrawn from selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup to prioritize regaining full fitness as an all-rounder.

Stokes, who captained England to victory in the 2022 T20 World Cup final, has been hampered by a knee injury that limited his bowling capabilities. He underwent surgery over the winter and only bowled a handful of overs in the recent Test series in India.

This decision comes alongside his earlier withdrawal from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Stokes aims to utilize this break to ensure he can effectively contribute as a bowling all-rounder across all formats for England.

The T20 World Cup, held in the West Indies and USA this June, follows a busy English summer schedule. This in...