(Source/ Sky Sports)

In the aftermath of England’s victory over Pakistan in the 2nd T20I, ex-England cricketer Michael Vaughan remarked that Phil Salt and Will Jacks might have been better suited to remain in the IPL rather than participating in international matches against Pakistan.

Former England cricket figure Michael Vaughan has subtly criticized Pakistan following their lackluster performance in the initial T20I against Jos Buttler’s squad. England made the decision to recall all their players from the Indian Premier League to prepare for the T20 World Cup, including the crucial T20I series versus Babar Azam’s Pakistan.

After Pakistan’s defeat in the second match at Edgbaston, Vaughan remarked during the Club Praire podcast that certain players might have benefited more from participating in the IPL 2024. Vaughan opined that England may have overlooked an opportunity by not allowing some of their players to participate in the IPL 2024.

“I think you’re going to miss the trick by sending all their players home. You know, I think Will Jacks, Phil Salt, Josh Butler, in particular, playing in the IPL in the eliminators, pressure, crowd, expectation. I would argue that playing here is better preparation than playing a T20 game against Pakistan,” Vaughan said in the podcast.

Vaughan suggested that certain England batsmen, such as Phil Salt and Will Jacks, could have been better equipped for the intense pressures of international cricket by participating in the high-stakes environment of the IPL instead of facing Pakistan on home turf. As defending champions, England are eager to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

“I support international cricket, but sometimes, especially in this tournament, the pressure is immense. These players face enormous expectations from fans, team owners, and social media. It’s a significant challenge. I believe specifically for those two players, and to some extent Butler, staying in the IPL could have been beneficial,” remarked Vaughan.

“But Will Jacks and Phil Salt, I think they’d have been better prepared staying here playing in the IPL, then going back to head and let’s play a game,” Vaughan concluded the former captain.

England is scheduled to compete in a series of four T20Is against Pakistan. Unfortunately, the opening match of the series was called off due to inclement weather.