CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — England captain Jos Buttler has left the squad and is set to miss the third T20 international against Pakistan on Tuesday to be with his wife for the birth of their third child.
If Buttler is absent for the match in Cardiff, vice captain Moeen Ali will take the captaincy.
England leads the four-game series 1-0 after Buttler made 84 in a 23-run win at Edgbaston on Saturday. The fourth T20 is at The Oval on Thursday.
The series is preparation for the T20 World Cup, with England beginning its title defense against Scotland in Barbados on June 4.
Ben Duckett is likely to replace Buttler at the top of the order at Sophia Gardens.
He returned from the Indian Premier League 2024 mid-day for the series against the Men in Green. Buttler was a part of Rajasthan Royals and hit two hundreds for the 2008 champions.
Rajasthan missed him as the team failed to get going in the powerplay overs. Sunrisers Hyderabad eliminated them from Qualifier 2 of the 17th season.
Buttler urged the England and Wales Cricket Board to avoid scheduling international matches during the course of the cash-rich league.
 "BCCI want Test specialists to play domestic cricket; Rohit, Virat, Bumrah to be exceptions")
