The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been forced to make a last-minute change in the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series. England has suffered a massive ‘Saqib Mahmood’ setback ahead of their white-ball games against Ireland and New Zealand.
The Harry Brook-led English side is scheduled to travel to Ireland for a three-match T20I series, starting on September 17, with the last two games set for September 19 and 21 at the Malahide Cricket Club Ground in Malahide.
England suffers blow as Saqib Mahmood ruled out of key tours
After the Ireland tour, the English side will travel to New Zealand for a three-match T20I and ODI series. The T20I matches between England and the Black Caps are scheduled for October 18, 20, and 23, while the three ODI matches will be played on October 26, 29, and November 1.
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Meanwhile, the fast bowler Saqib Mahmood has been ruled out of the upcoming Ireland tour, as well as the white-ball tour of New Zealand, due to a knee injury that reportedly needs minor surgery. Hampshire’s Scott Currie has replaced Saqib Mahmood in the T20I squad.
The talented seamer Currie has already gained some international experience by playing three One Day Internationals (ODIs) for Scotland. Scott will add fresh energy to England’s bowling attack as they prepare for the exciting tours of Ireland and New Zealand.
Change to England’s squad for the t20 tour of Ireland next week
Saqib Mahmood out of that and New Zealand tour that follows with a knee injury that requires “minor surgery”
In his place they have called up Hampshire seamer Scott Currie, who has played three ODIs for Scotland
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) September 14, 2025
Here’s the updated England T20I squad without Saqib Mahmood:
Jacob Bethell (c), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Scott Currie, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood.
England stuns South Africa with record win, levels T20I series 1-1
Meanwhile, England delivered a record-breaking performance against South Africa in the second T20I, winning the game by 146 runs and leveling the series 1-1. Captain Harry Brook was thrilled with the team’s display, calling the opening partnership between Phil Salt and Jos Buttler incredible.
Even Brook was surprised when they were close to 300 runs. Brook believes that England’s batting strength gives them the confidence to achieve great heights. He also said that every game is a must-win match for them, and it is great preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
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We want to win every time: Harry Brook
Harry Brook was quoted as saying by Sky Sports: “I’m pretty lost for words. The way Salt and [Jos] Buttler started off the night was incredible. Jos and I were standing out there when we were fielding and never thought anyone would get 300. But with the batting lineup we’ve got, there aren’t many heights that we can’t reach.”
Brook signed off by saying, “Every must-win game that we have now, leading up to that T20 World Cup, is awesome preparation for us. We want to win every time we go out there and have those new learnings when we’re out there to take it forward to those World Cups. There’s going to be some tough decisions to be made, but we like headaches, and there are some phenomenal guys; it’s always good to have those debates.”
