Saqib Mahmood Knee Injury Forces Sideline Spell; England Call Up Currie

England have suffered an injury setback ahead of their three-match T20I series against Ireland, with pace bowler Saqib Mahmood ruled out due to a knee injury. The Lancashire seamer is scheduled to undergo minor surgery and will also miss the upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand in October.

In his absence, Hampshire quick Scott Currie has received a call-up to the senior squad. The 24-year-old right-arm pacer impressed during the T20 Blast, finishing as the second highest wicket-taker with 27 wickets.

Mahmood's latest injury comes as another frustration in his stop-start international career. The 28-year-old, once earmarked as a key figure in England's pace attack, has battled fitness concerns in the past, including stress fractures in his back. He played in the second ODI against South Africa at Lord's while he last featured in a T20I for England against India earlier this year.

England's three-match series against Ireland begins on September 17 and will serve as preparation for their busy white-ball calendar, which includes the New Zealand tour and a limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka in January-February 2026 before the T20 World Cup.