Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton Slam Jos Buttler After Champions Trophy 2025 Exit

After England’s disappointing exit from the ICC Champions Trophy, former captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton harshly criticized Jos Buttler’s leadership, stating that his time as England’s white-ball captain should come to an end.

England’s Champions Trophy Setback

Following an eight-run defeat to Afghanistan in Lahore, England was eliminated from the tournament with a game still left in Group B. This marks the second consecutive men’s ODI tournament where England has failed to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Hussain and Atherton’s Criticism

Speaking on England’s performance, Nasser Hussain expressed his disappointment in Buttler’s leadership.

“England looked lost under Buttler’s captaincy. His strategies didn’t work, and the team lacked direction,” Hussain remarked.

Michael Atherton echoed the sentiment, adding that the current squad needs a fresh approach.

“When a team underperforms in back-to-back ICC events, serious questions must be asked. Buttler’s time as captain should be reconsidered,” Atherton said.

England’s Struggles in White-Ball Cricket

England’s struggles in white-ball cricket have become increasingly evident. Their lack of consistency, poor shot selection, and ineffective bowling strategies contributed to their downfall. Buttler, who took over from Eoin Morgan, has faced mounting pressure due to England’s inability to replicate past success.

A major concern was their failure to chase 326 against Afghanistan. Despite Joe Root’s century, the middle order collapsed, allowing Afghanistan to pull off a historic victory.

Possible Changes for England

With England’s early exit, discussions about leadership changes have intensified. While Buttler remains a world-class batter, his captaincy has come under scrutiny. Some experts believe that giving the reins to someone else might rejuvenate the team ahead of future tournaments.

Additionally, England’s selectors will need to analyze team composition. A blend of experienced players and fresh talent might be necessary to regain their dominance in limited-overs cricket.

What’s Next for England?

With the Champions Trophy campaign over, England will now shift their focus to upcoming white-ball series and the next ICC event. Whether Buttler continues as captain remains to be seen, but the calls for change are growing louder.

As the dust settles on England’s disappointing campaign, cricket fans and analysts will keenly watch how the team management addresses the leadership concerns in the coming months.

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