Rain Abandons England-India T20 Opener After India Reach 190

Saqib Mahmood took three wickets for 22 runs in the opening match of the Vitality T20 series against India at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday. He dismissed Sanju Samson, top-scorer Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Verma before the game was abandoned due to rain with England yet to begin their chase of 190.

Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue are scheduled to rejoin the England squad for the second match on Saturday at Emirates Old Trafford, increasing competition for places in the bowling attack.

Mahmood, 29, has collected 20 T20 international caps since his debut in 2019 and missed the T20 World Cup earlier this year while recovering from knee surgery. The Lancashire seamer has also played 17 one-day internationals and earned two Test caps during the 2022 series in the West Indies.

He holds a white-ball contract with Lancashire and has said he remains open to occasional first-class appearances if his fitness allows.

Mahmood said he approached managing director Rob Key for clarity on his standing in the team. “I’ve been involved with England stuff for a long time and it still feels like I’m trying to nail my place down,” he said. He added that Key outlined his view of Mahmood’s strengths, particularly as a new-ball bowler in the powerplay.

Mahmood said he had knee surgery at the end of last season and still has work to do on his fitness. He noted that any return to red-ball cricket would depend on how his body responds later in the season.