Moeen Ali to lead England T20 side during first visit to Pakistan for 17 years

Moeen Ali is poised to lead England’s return to Pakistan after a 17-year absence with Jos Buttler, the full‑time captain, struggling to be fit for the start of the trip next month.

Buttler 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 is understood to be favourite to deputise 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.

As it stands, the tour will proceed as planned despite the devastating floods in Pakistan that have cost more than 1,100 lives since June. It will be the first time a senior England men’s side has travelled 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 to have played in the Pakistan Super League in the past.

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)