Pakistan Vs England: Injury Concerns Ahead Of Birmingham's 2nd T20I

The upcoming second T20I between Pakistan and England in Birmingham on May 25th is drawing significant attention, particularly due to injury concerns within the England camp.

Both Liam Livingstone and Mark Wood are still recovering from injuries and are expected to miss several games of the four-match series. The series started on a damp note with the first T20I in Leeds being washed out due to rain.

Ahead of the match, England's captain Jos Buttler confirmed the unavailability of key players Livingstone and Wood. "Liam Livingstone's not fit for tomorrow. He's getting his knee right. Mark Wood's not fit either," Buttler stated.

Mark Wood, who last appeared in England's final Test against India in Dharamshala two months ago, is dealing with a niggle in his left knee. He was seen running during a training session on Tuesday, indicating progress in his recovery. However, he is not expected to be fit for the upcoming matches.

Liam Livingstone, on the other hand, sustained a right knee injury during the Indian Premier League last month. England's management is closely monitoring his condition to ensure he is fully fit for the World Cup.

Jos Buttler's Personal Commitments

Adding to England's concerns, Buttler is also preparing for the imminent birth of his third child. He emphasised that family takes precedence, stating, "My family comes first. I'll be there. I don't think they [babies] quite tell you sometimes when they're going to come, but I've got a plan in place." Should this event coincide with the World Cup, Buttler plans to leave the team to be with his family, potentially missing some games.

In Buttler's absence, vice-captain Moeen Ali will assume the captaincy. Additionally, Buttler confirmed he will be keeping wicket, but if unavailable, Phil Salt is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties, with Jonny Bairstow as another option.

With the focus now shifting to the second T20I in Birmingham, scheduled for May 25th at 6:30 PM (PST), both teams will be eager to take the field and gain a lead in the series.