Jos Buttler will captain England for one final time in white-ball cricket as they face South Africa in their last Group B match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. The 34-year-old announced his decision to step down following England’s early exit from the tournament.
“It’s the right decision for me, it’s the right decision for the team, and hopefully, somebody else can come in and work closely alongside Brendon McCullum to take the team back to where it needs to be,” Buttler said ahead of the match. He acknowledged that England’s disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy, coupled with their poor ODI run in recent months, played a role in his decision.
Despite stepping down as captain, Buttler hinted at continuing his playing career, stating, “I can get back to really enjoying my cricket.” The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Buttler will remain a key player in England’s white-ball setup.
England’s managing director Rob Key praised Buttler’s leadership, stating, “Nobody deserved that T20 World Cup win in Australia more. I can’t wait to see him back in the ranks and at his best.” McCullum echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Buttler’s contributions despite the team’s struggles.
By the end of today’s match, Buttler will have captained England in 96 games across formats, including 45 ODIs and 51 T20Is. His leadership saw England lift the T20 World Cup in 2022, making him only the third England captain to win an ICC trophy.
With Buttler set to step down, England will soon begin the search for a new white-ball captain. Meanwhile, South Africa aims to secure the top spot in Group B with a win in Karachi.
