But Buttler knows England cannot afford to overlook Afghanistan, who claimed a shock 69-run win in the teams’ last 50-over meeting at the 2023 World Cup, with spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman sharing six wickets.
A washout between Australia and South Africa on Tuesday means, barring more rain, England must win their final two Group B contests to reach the semi-finals, starting with Afghanistan on Wednesday.
England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson described what is happening in Afghanistan as “gender apartheid” and has called for collective action to the situation from the International Cricket Council.
Jos Buttler accepts his fate as England captain could be sealed by the outcome of their Champions Trophy clash against Afghanistan but he insisted the issue is not weighing on his mind.
Amnesty International has urged the teams to “ensure the entirely subjugated women and girls of Afghanistan are on the minds of audiences around the world” and Buttler spoke up about the issue on Tuesday.
