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Former England captain Michael Vaughan has responded to former Indian players and fans who are criticising English players for leaving the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) to play the T20I series against Pakistan.
Vaughan defended English players emphasising the importance of prioritising national duties, stating that it is only fair to put the country first.
England and Pakistan are set to face off in a four-match T20I series starting today, a crucial preparatory step for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
Key players like Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Reece Topley, Phil Salt, and Will Jacks left their IPL franchises earlier this month following the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) directive to return in time for the Pakistan series.
This decision sparked controversy, with Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take strict action against players who left the IPL mid-season. Former pace bowler Irfan Pathan echoed Gavaskar’s sentiments, criticizing the English players for their early departure.
However, Vaughan stood by his countrymen, underscoring the necessity to prioritise national commitments over franchise cricket. He also stated the importance of the Pakistan series for England to solidify their squad and address any weaknesses before the World Cup.
“If you are going back to represent your country, which England players have done, I think that’s fair enough. They are playing a series against Pakistan. The England players wouldn’t have gone back if it wasn’t for the Pakistan series. The series was on the calendar,” Vaughan explained.
Vaughan highlighted the worth of these matches for defending T20 World Cup champions, especially in light of England’s disappointing performance in defending their title in the 2023 World Cup in India.
“With English cricket, the defence of the 50-over World Cup was a poor one by England here in India,” Vaughan noted.
Reflecting on England’s failures, Vaughan stressed that the team is keen to avoid repeating history. “The actual lead-up to the 50-over World Cup wasn’t perfect either. There were a lot of swaps and changes. They have now gone back to 5 matches, get all the squad together, work on a bit of culture, everyone playing their right roles, I think it will give them a better chance,” he added.
Vaughan’s support underscores the critical nature of national commitments, especially with the T20 World Cup looming. England’s decision to prioritize the series against Pakistan over the IPL reflects their dedication to defending the coveted trophy they currently hold.
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