Jos Buttler will consider his future as England’s white-ball captain after the agonising eight-run defeat by Afghanistan in Lahore that terminated his side’s Champions Trophy hopes, and left Jos Buttler wondering whether Jos Buttler is part of the problem.
England fly to Karachi on Thursday for their final group game – against South Africa on Saturday – already out of the running for the semi-finals. Their defeat by Afghanistan, following the loss against Australia last Saturday, made it a third consecutive tournament failure under Jos Buttler’s leadership.
Former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton slammed Jos Buttler’s leadership after the team’s stunning Champions Trophy 2025 exit on Wednesday, following their eight-run defeat to Afghanistan in Lahore.
England increases their stretch of defeat under Jos Buttler’s leadership
England’s string of defeats extended to seven straight matches since the India tour under Jos Buttler’s leadership, with the captain himself struggling to contribute with the bat, scoring 23 and 38 in two games against Australia and Afghanistan.
In a post-match chat with Atherton, Jos Buttler conceded that he will take time to reflect on his position after heading back home. Meanwhile, Atherton and Hussain remarked that the captaincy tag never really suited Buttler, who took over from Eoin Morgan in mid-2022.
Jos Buttler opened up on his future as England captain after the Three Lions failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025. On Wednesday, February 28, England lost to Afghanistan by eight runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. After losing to Australia by five wickets, Jos Buttler’s men faltered against the Afghans and failed to go through to the next round.
Back in 2023, Jos Buttler couldn’t take his team through to the World Cup semis after which England failed to defend their T20 World Cup title under his leadership. Before the Champions Trophy, England lost 0-3 to India in the bilateral series and failed to take any momentum into the multi-nation event.
Jos Buttler didn’t give an ‘emotional statements’ on his captaincy, but said that England should ‘consider all possibilities’. With Jos Buttler as ODI captain, England have won 18 out of 44 matches and lost 25 while one match didn’t produce a result
I don’t enjoy losing games of cricket & results- Jos Buttler
England white-ball captain Jos Buttler said he doesn’t want to make any emotional decisions following the team’s shock exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy after their loss to Afghanistan. He, however, admitted that all possibilities need to be considered regarding his leadership.
England went down to Afghanistan by eight runs in match number eight of the 2025 Champions Trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, February 26. With the loss, England also got knocked out of the semifinal race. Earlier, the Buttler-led side got hammered by Team India in the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup. England also had a dismal 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
Speaking to Sky Sports after England’s close loss to Afghanistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy, Jos Buttler admitted that his role as leader of the team is under the scanner. The batter said (as quoted by ESPNCricinfo):
“It’s tough to say, stood here right now, and I don’t want to make any sort of emotional statements. But I think it’s fair to say that you’ve got to consider all possibilities.
On his captaincy, the 34-year-old said that he has enjoyed the challenge.
“I’ve enjoyed it [the captaincy]. I’ve seen lots of people say it doesn’t sit well with me, but I do enjoy it. I enjoy the challenge. Obviously I don’t enjoy losing games of cricket and the results. And of course when they’re not going well, you do look at yourself in the mirror and say, ‘Am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution?’ I think that’s what I’ve got to work out,” Buttler elaborated.
Before the defeat to Afghanistan, England lost their opening match of 2025 Champions Trophy to arch-rivals Australia by five wickets in Lahore. Having posted 351-8 on the board batting first, they failed to defend the total.
Bowling first after losing the toss, England reduced Afghanistan to 37-3 inside nine overs. However, Ibrahim Zadran (177 off 146) played a stunning innings to lift the batting side to 325-7. In the chase, Joe Root struck a magnificent 120 off 111 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai, however, picked up five wickets to restrict England to 317.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Jos Buttler rued the missed chances in the game that cost England dearly. He commented (as quoted by Cricbuzz):
“Disappointing to be knocked out of the tournament early. We had our chances in the game and we didn’t take them. Root played an unbelievable innings and we needed one of the top six batters to stay with him. The last 10 overs got away from us a bit. 113 off the last 10 pushed them up to a very good score on that pitch.”
Jos Buttler got a start but was dismissed for 38 off 42 balls. His exit at a crucial juncture in the chase left England in trouble at 216-5 in the 37th over.
After being asked to chase down a stiff target of 326, England were bowled out for 317 in 49.5 overs. Joe Root scored 120 off 111 balls with 11 fours and a six to keep England in the hunt, but his efforts went in vain. Jos Buttler lauded Root for the way he handled pressure.
“He played an unbelievable innings tonight. The way to handle pressure in a run-chase. He needed one of the other top six batters to stay in with him and take the game deeper,” Buttler added.
England’s last and final Group B game is against Temba Bavuma’s South Africa on Saturday, March 1 at the National Stadium in Karachi.