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The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup is just a week away and the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is yet to put curtains over it. However, despite the cash-rich league being slated to end on May 26, England Cricket had announced their T20I series against Pakistan which was scheduled to begin on Wednesday. However, the continuous downpour in Leeds, the venue for the first T20I ensured no play could be possible.
The three-match series will act as the key preparation for both teams ahead of the multi-national tournament, set to begin on June 1 in the USA and the Caribbean. Keeping in mind the efficacy of the tournament, the defending champions England summoned all their players, who are part of the World Cup squad, to report for national duty.
England skipper Jos Buttler, who was representing Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 laid out his views on ECB’s decision to back out their players amidst the IPL playoffs and backed the board’s decision as he said, “Look, as an England captain, my main priority is to be playing for England.” England will kickstart their campaign to defend the title on June 4 against Scotland in Barbados.
Buttler opines IPL and International cricket shouldn't clash
The 33-year-old, who was in phenomenal touch in the ongoing IPL has backed the importance of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and quipped on managing the cricket calendar in a way that the international matches don’t overlap with the scheduling of the IPL. He told Skysports, “It’s my personal opinion that there shouldn’t be any international cricket that clashes with the IPL. I think that these games have been on the calendar for a long time. Of course, leading into a World Cup, your No.1 priority is playing for England and performing for England. I feel this is the best preparation.”
Despite Buttler’s absence in the Eliminator match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals managed to advance to the Qualifier 2 with the Sanju Samson’s side to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 24.
