The all-rounder retired from the 50-over format in 2022 citing an unsustainable workload, only to be tempted back to take part in England's title defence.
Things have veered badly off script since he arrived in India, where he missed the first three matches with a hip injury and was unable to stop his side crashing out after six defeats from seven games.
But the man who did more than anyone to make England world champions at Lord's four years ago offered a reminder of his talents with a match-winning century against the Netherlands on Wednesday.
England were grateful Stokes did not bring forward an upcoming knee operation once the semi-finals were out of reach - a notion he rejected out of hand with the mantra "never leave early, never take the easy way out, never leave your teammates hanging" - but tomorrow's engagement with Pakistan will surely be his last stand.
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