Srinagar: Top all-rounder Moeen Ali is likely to be England T20 captain when the English tours to Pakistan for the series first time in over 17 years.
According to report in The Guardian England’s full‑time white-ball captain Jos Buttler is struggling to be fit for the start of the trip next month. He was ruled out of the remainder of the Hundred last week because of a calf injury and has since revealed he is targeting the “back end” of the seven-match T20 International series in Pakistan with a view to being ready for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October.
Moeen, 35, is understood to be favorite to Lead in his absence, with the tour party due to arrive in Pakistan on 14 September – two days after the scheduled final day of the third Test against South Africa at the Oval – ahead of the first match in Karachi on 20 September, report said.
It will be the first time a senior England men’s side will travel to the country since 2005, with “away” series during this period staged in the United Arab Emirates because of security concerns, report further said.
England had agreed to play two T20 matches in Pakistan last winter but the collapse of New Zealand’s preceding visit because of an anonymous death threat – plus a clash with the rescheduled Indian Premier League – meant the matches were added to this year’s trip instead.
Moeen has served as Buttler’s vice‑captain since Eoin Morgan’s retirement in June and has led England in four Twenty20 internationals previously. The 35-year-old is also among those English players who have played in the Pakistan Super League.