England Captain to Miss Pakistan ODI Assignment After Hamstring Injury
England captain Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI tri-series in Pakistan after suffering a hamstring injury during England’s recent ODI series against Sri Lanka. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter sustained the injury during the second ODI at Headingley, where he was forced to retire hurt before later returning to the crease.
Buttler was able to continue batting after initially leaving the field, but the injury prevented him from taking part in England’s next ODI against Sri Lanka. His absence has now been confirmed for the tri-series involving England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to begin in Pakistan in October.
England’s limited-overs head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that Buttler would not travel to Pakistan for the competition. The injury comes at an important stage of England’s preparations for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, with the team using its upcoming ODI fixtures to assess players and combinations ahead of the global tournament.
Buttler’s absence is also expected to create another opportunity for Jordan Cox. Cox impressed after returning to England’s ODI side against Sri Lanka, scoring 76 from 52 deliveries in the third match at The Oval. His performance has strengthened his case for an increased role while Buttler recovers.
The Pakistan-hosted tri-series will feature England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka competing in a series of ODI matches before the final. The tournament is part of the teams’ preparations for the next ODI World Cup and provides an opportunity for players to gain international experience in conditions similar to those expected during major future assignments.
For England, Buttler’s fitness will remain an important issue as the team manages its workload and prepares for a busy international calendar. The exact length of his recovery remains uncertain, with McCullum indicating that Buttler will work toward returning as soon as possible.
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