Joe Root has expressed confidence in Jos Buttler’s leadership as England faces a must-win match against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy. Root, reflecting on his own tenure as Test captain, emphasized that the current white-ball team is in a stronger position than the Test side he led before stepping down in 2022. England, struggling for consistency, needs a victory on Wednesday to keep their hopes alive after a crushing defeat to Australia.
Adding to England’s challenges, fast bowler Brydon Carse has been ruled out of the tournament due to a recurring toe injury. Carse, who battled blisters during the recent tour of India, saw his condition worsen, leading to his exclusion from the squad. The International Cricket Council has approved leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed as his replacement, a move that could provide England with a more balanced squad should they progress to the semi-finals.
The upcoming match against Afghanistan carries additional significance beyond the tournament itself. Calls for a boycott have been made due to the country’s restrictive policies on women’s rights. Despite these concerns, the England and Wales Cricket Board has opted to proceed with the fixture while continuing to push for the development of an Afghan women’s cricket team in exile.
Root acknowledged the ethical debate but maintained that playing the match is the right decision. He pointed out that cricket remains a source of hope for many in Afghanistan and that the game itself can provide joy to people who are otherwise facing immense hardships.
On the field, England is expected to make at least one change, with Jamie Overton likely stepping in for the injured Carse. The team remains under pressure, having lost eight of their last nine white-ball internationals under Buttler’s captaincy. Despite this, Root expressed strong support for Buttler, praising his leadership and ability to foster a positive team environment.
England’s struggles in white-ball cricket have led to scrutiny of Rob Key’s decision to retain Buttler as captain following disappointing World Cup campaigns. The expansion of Brendon McCullum’s coaching role to cover both Test and limited-overs cricket has not yet yielded the same turnaround seen in the red-ball format.
With their Champions Trophy hopes on the line, England must first overcome Afghanistan in Lahore before shifting focus to another crucial clash against South Africa. The team has some familiarity with conditions at the Gaddafi Stadium, though they failed to handle the evening dew effectively against Australia.
Looking ahead, England’s selection of Rehan Ahmed could prove significant should they advance, particularly in Dubai, where spin is likely to play a key role. However, before thinking about potential semi-final matchups, the team must deliver when it matters most, starting with Afghanistan.
