England’s final group game of the Champions Trophy is against South Africa on Saturday. After that, their next white-ball assignment is a three-match home series against West Indies which begins on 29 May.

Since winning the World Cup in 2019, they have lost more ODIs (34) than they have won (29). Under Buttler, who replaced World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan in 2021 and won the T20 World Cup in 2022, they have won 14 of 38 ODIs.

Brendon McCullum replaced Matthew Mott as head coach at the turn of the year and backed Buttler as captain, suggesting the skipper could have his “best years ahead of him” for England.

But, after losing to Australia in their opening game, England allowed Afghanistan to score 325-7 and then failed to chase the target despite Joe Root’s 120.

After Root, the next highest score was 38, made by both Buttler and Ben Duckett, yet England still needed only 17 from 14 balls with three wickets left late on.

“A more firing and confident team would have got over the line here,” added Buttler.

“We had our chances and it’s up to us as individuals and a team to find ways to get ourselves back where we need to be.

“Joe Root played a typical Joe Root innings, full of class, character, composure and skill, it needed one of us to go with him for longer.”

Asked about his form with the bat – Buttler only has two ODI half-centuries since September 2023 – the captain said: “If I knew, I wouldn’t be playing the way I am. I don’t feel far way, it’s disappointing when you’re not reaching the level of the best in the world.”