England players made headlines when they left the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) to represent their country in the T20I series against Pakistan, however, reports suggest that their captain, Jos Buttler, might miss a few games in the series for a very personal reason.
England and Pakistan are currently engaged in a four-match T20I series, serving as crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
The English players have demonstrated that national duty takes precedence over franchise leagues, and Buttler is now setting another important example: family comes first.
Buttler recently shared that he will be attending the imminent birth of his third child, emphasizing the importance of family. “My family comes first. I’ll be there. Babies don’t quite tell you sometimes when they’re going to come, but I’ve got a plan in place,” Buttler said.
This decision means Buttler might be absent for some games during the Pakistan series. If this timing overlaps with the World Cup, Buttler intends to leave the squad to be with his family, which could result in him missing several matches.
In Buttler’s absence, Moeen Ali is set to take over as captain. Buttler also mentioned that he will be the primary wicketkeeper, and if he’s unavailable, Phil Salt is expected to take on wicketkeeping duties, with Jonny Bairstow as a possible backup.
The first T20I match between Pakistan and England was unfortunately rained out in Leeds on Wednesday, while the second T20I is scheduled to take place in Birmingham on May 25th.
As both teams gear up for the next encounter, England’s ability to juggle national duties while prioritizing personal commitments continues to set a commendable standard in the cricketing world.
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