Cricket is not the only thing Ben Stokes is winning at — he has also won our hearts

England Test captain Ben Stokes is not here to play, he’s here to win. And he’s doing that before the game even starts — by winning over our hearts.

On Monday, he announced that he will be donating his match fees from the upcoming Test series against Pakistan to flood victims. “To be here after 17 years as a Test side is very exciting. There is a sense of responsibility amongst the playing and support group, and to be here is special,” he wrote. “The game has given me a lot in my life and I feel it’s only right to give something back that goes beyond cricket.” He concluded by hoping the donation goes towards rebuilding the flood affected areas.

This simple and tremendously kind gesture has touched all our hearts. The game is important but some things matter more. And when a player decides to honour that, he leaves a mark. We don’t know what’s going to happen in the Test series but we know that it has already become a significant one, all through an act of kindness.

PM Shehbaz Sharif was quick to respond and appreciate Stokes’ empathetic gesture.

Cricketers Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar and Junaid Khan also re-shared his tweet and sent him their well wishes, welcoming him back.

Indian cricket fans, too, were touched by this gesture.

True legend behaviour.

Let’s make the standing ovation happen!

Welcome back, team England.