England captain Buttler set to miss 3rd T20 against Pakistan

By AFP

May 28, 2024

England’s Jos Buttler plays shot as Pakistan’s Azam Khan (right) watches ball during second T20 International between England and Pakistan at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham on May 25, 2024. — Reuters

LONDON: Jos Buttler has left the England squad ahead of Tuesday´s Twenty20 international against Pakistan to be with his wife, who is about to give birth to the couple´s third child.

The 33-year-old England captain struck a match-winning 84 as the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the rain-affected four-game series with a 23-run win in Birmingham on Saturday. But he is now set to miss Wednesday´s third T20 in Cardiff, with vice-captain Moeen Ali in line to lead England at Sophia Gardens instead.

Ben Duckett could be brought in to open in Buttler´s absence or England could promote Will Jacks from No 3 after he made 37 off 23 balls against Pakistan at Birmingham´s Edgbaston ground. Surrey all-rounder Jacks recently returned from a stint in the T20 Indian Premier League, where he made a dashing unbeaten hundred to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a nine-wicket win over Gujarat Titans.