LONDON: England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler said he was aiming to return to action in next month’s seven-match T20 tour of Pakistan.

The 31-year-old is hopeful he can fully recover from a calf injury and hit top gear in time for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.

Buttler picked up the injury last week while playing for the Manchester Originals in The Hundred and has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

“It is frustrating to miss some cricket, I have really been enjoying playing,” Buttler, who missed a portion of the previous season due to an injury to his other calf, told Sky Sports in an interview published on Tuesday.

“I actually did the same thing last year in my other calf so I had an idea what was coming.

“I am going to be unavailable for the remainder of The Hundred unfortunately. Obviously we have got a big winter coming up with the World Cup on the horizon, we go to Pakistan before that as well.

“I think I have to take it as it comes a little bit in the first few weeks and just manage that and hopefully maybe the back end of Pakistan and especially get fully fit for the World Cup.”

England play three Twenty20 Internationals in Karachi before flying to Lahore for the remaining three from September 20 to October 2.

The T20 World Cup will take place in Australia from Oct. 16-Nov. 13.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2022