“Playing here is better preparation than playing a T20 game against Pakistan” – Michael Vaughan on England players leaving IPL for national duty

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan believes playing in the IPL would have been more beneficial for English players than representing the country and playing against Pakistan in the four-match T20I series. Players like Will Jacks, Jos Buttler, Phil Salt were all part of the IPL teams, who had qualified for the playoffs.

However, the trio had to return home for national duty. Vaughan reckons playing in front of jam-packed crowd and in pressure situations of the IPL, would have been an ideal preparation for the T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, the first T20I between England and Pakistan was abandoned due to rain whereas the hosts won the second game by 23 runs at Edgbaston on Saturday. England skipper Jos Buttler scored a match-winning knock of 84 runs off just 51 balls.

Michael Vaughan said on the Club Prairie Fire podcast, “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.”

“I’m all for international cricket, but now and again, this tournament in particular, it’s so exposed to pressure. These players are under a huge amount of pressure from fans, owners, and social media. It’s massive. I just felt particularly those two, and Butler, probably not as much, but I still think he could have stayed here. 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.”

On the other hand, England had a horrid run in the 2023 ODI World Cup, managing only three wins in nine games to finish at seventh place in the standings. Vaughan said he understands the ECB decision to call back their players as the ODI World Cup didn’t go as planned.

“I understand in a way why, because the 50 over World Cup didn’t go so well and there was a lot of swapping and changing in New Zealand, and the Ireland series leading into that 50 over World Cup in India and they got a bit of criticism for that,” said Vaughan.

The third T20I between England and Pakistan will be played at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Tuesday.