Moeen Ali to lead England's T20 side on historic tour of Pakistan

All-rounder Moeen Ali will lead England's T20 side on the historic tour of Pakistan, The Guardian reported.

According to details, England's full‑time white-ball captain Jos Buttler is struggling to be fit for the start of the trip next month. He was ruled out of the remainder of the Hundred last week because of a calf injury and has since revealed he is targeting the “back end” of the seven-match Twenty20 international series in Pakistan with a view to being ready for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October.

Moeen, 35, is understood to be favorite to LEAD in his absence, with the tour party due to arrive in Pakistan on 14 September – two days after the scheduled final day of the third Test against South Africa at the Oval – ahead of the first match in Karachi on 20 September.

It will be the first time a senior England men’s side will travel to the country since 2005, with “away” series during this period staged in the United Arab Emirates because of security concerns.

England had agreed to play two T20 matches in Pakistan last winter but the collapse of New Zealand’s preceding visit because of an anonymous death threat – plus a clash with the rescheduled Indian Premier League – meant the matches were added to this year’s trip instead.

Moeen has served as Buttler’s vice‑captain since Eoin Morgan’s retirement in June and has led England in four Twenty20 internationals previously. The 35-year-old is also among those English players who have played in the Pakistan Super League.

This T20 squad – named at the end of the week – is likely to feature a mix of mainstays and World Cup hopefuls initially, with Liam Livingstone (ankle) another injury doubt and the Test players Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow expected to be given a break.

There is also a decision to be made over Jason Roy, with the opener having endured a flatlining run of form this year. Phil Salt, Will Smeed, Will Jacks and, possibly, Alex Hales are also in contention for the tour.

Mark Wood and Chris Woakes should also get the chance to prove their fitness after respective elbow and knee operations this summer. Both seamers, out since the Caribbean tour in March, have reported encouraging progress.

England will play seven T20Is on their first tour of Pakistan in 17 years. Karachi will stage matches on 20, 22, 23 and 25 September, while Lahore will be the venue for the remaining three matches on 28 and 30 September, and 2 October.

England will return in late November for three Tests, which will be played in Rawalpindi (1-5 December), Multan (9-13 December) and Karachi (17-21 December).