ISLAMABAD: England skipper Moeen Ali on Sunday rejected the impression that his squad, missing a few key players due to injuries, are a “second string” team, days ahead of the first T20 clash between Pakistan and England.
Ali is the stand-in skipper for the squad in place of England’s usual captain, Jos Buttler, who is nursing a calf injury. Buttler sustained the injury during The Hundred tournament last month, prompting fears he may miss the entire Pakistan series.
The visitors, who arrived in Pakistan on Thursday after 17 long years to play a seven-match series, are also without Liam Livingstone and Chris Jordan, who are suffering from ankle and finger injuries respectively.
All-rounder Ben Stokes has been rested for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place next month in Australia.
“I don’t see [England] at all as a second string team,” Ali, whose family has roots in Pakistan, told reporters. “Obviously Jos Buttler is injured and he’s the main, he’s our captain. So, it’s not through selection, it’s just through unfortunate injuries we have had through bad fortune in the summer.”
England's players attend a practice session at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on September 18, 2022, ahead of their first Twenty20 cricket match against Pakistan. (AFP)
When asked when skipper Buttler would be fit to play, Ali said the English batter would play the last matches of the series.
"I am not sure (when Buttler will play), he is a bit more careful and maybe at the back end of the tour he will play one or two games but it will depend on his progress," Ali said.
"We want him fully fit for the World Cup so we will not risk anything."
Ali said he was proud and happy to be leading the side on its first tour to Pakistan in 17 years.
"Obviously with my roots being from here and to lead England in such a big series, a historic series is a huge and proud moment," Ali told reporters.
"My mum and dad, my friends and my family and community and everybody who I feel I represent is happy for me," he added.
