🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: S8 - M45: England vs Pakistan🏏 - Page 4

Teams:

England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook(c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid

Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

Harry Brook: We would have batted as well. It's a fresh pitch compared to what we played on a couple of days ago, so hopefully it's a bit better and gives us a good chance to chase later on. We're going in with the same team and there's a lot of confidence in the group. We know we can improve, but the results have been encouraging and we feel a big performance isn't far away. We've done our homework on the opposition, including the unorthodox options like Usman Tariq. There's plenty of footage and data available, so we're well prepared. If we win tonight, a semi-final spot is within reach, but T20 cricket can turn quickly. We'll focus on playing our best cricket and sticking to our processes.

Salman Agha: We're going to bat first. It looks like a good pitch and we want to put up an above-par score and then try to defend it. It's our first game of the tournament here in Pallekele, but we've been playing most of our cricket in Colombo. Wherever you go, adjusting to conditions is key, and we've had to do that quickly after coming back just a couple of days ago. Having said that, conditions across Sri Lanka are generally similar, so we know what to expect today. From the rained-off game, Faheem misses out and Shaheen comes back into the side. We have a strong spin attack, but our fast bowling is just as good. Depending on the situation, I can go either way. This being my first ICC tournament as captain, it's obviously a responsibility, but I'm enjoying it and really looking forward to the challenge.

Teams:

England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook(c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid

Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

Just about ready to go with the coin flip in Pallekele... Pakistan win the toss and bat, Salman Agha says it "looks like a good pitch, want to put up an above-par score and defend that". He confirms one change for Pakistan, with Faheem out and Shaheen Afridi back So no Abrar, and extra pace in the attack. Brook would have batted, too, but seems happy enough. "Fresh pitch so hopefully it'll be better for chasing," he says. England are unchanged, playing the same XI for the fifth match in a row. Bethell, by the way, was bowling during the warm-ups, so might have had the tape removed from his hand

STAT: First time in 5 matches a team choose to bat first at Pallekele in this tournament

Pitch report - Eoin Morgan | Rameez Raja:

66 and 67 metres square. It certainly looks a very good surface. It looks really, really good. A typical Pallekele wicket. England played on a couple of surfaces here the other day that were used and far more spin-friendly. This one, though, is completely different. There's a full covering of grass, clearly unused, and it feels rock-hard underfoot. Expect good pace, a bit of cut, and that familiar skiddy nature. Conditions like these often improve as the game goes on - it could well be a surface that gets better for batting later in the day.

STAT: First time in 5 matches a team choose to bat first at Pallekele in this tournament

First up, you'll be wanting to know about those magnificent Sri Lankan groundsmen - and the likelihood we'll see them in action today. Happily (although not for fans of said groundsmen), Andrew Fidel Fernando reports that it is, "very dry in Kandy today"; he even goes so far as to says there "should be no issues with the toss/start time". Although, if you're anything like me, you'll notice he's left himself lots of wriggle room for delays to materialise later on this evening...

5.35pm: Roll up, roll up! England and Pakistan are in town, ready to give it some welly in Pallekele. Harry Brook's side have had fun in their subcontinental second home over the last few weeks, even if they have yet to fully hit their stride at the World Cup. Meanwhile, Pakistan are almost in must-win territory after a washout in Colombo at the weekend. Will the ball fly, as they are accustomed to in these parts? Or will it be spin it to win it again (and both sides are well stocked in that department)?

So, will the pitch slow down and deteriorate over the course of the evening? Or will it skid on under lights and make chasing easier? That's the big question for this one. Pakistan have gone back to the balance of XI they had at the start of the tournament, and look like they'll be more comfortable defending with the extra bowling

Ali Hasni is among several not happy with that change to the team, however: "Ridiculous!! When you know Eng has weak link of spin then why not play Abrar, just to accommodate Shaheen and Fakhar!! Crazy Selection!!"

And here's Ahad: "Faheem has been the 'Break in Case of Emergency' player for Pakistan so far, only appearing if the specialists have gone wrong. Today the specialists will have to do their own work!"

We'll find out the teams shortly. Pakistan are expected to stick with Fakhar Zaman as the extra batter for this one, although that would mean Faheem Ashraf (who has only bowled two overs in the tournament) continuing as the nominal No.9. On TimeOut, our panel discussed whether this was game for Pakistan to bring back Abrar Ahmed. England are likely to be unchanged, too, and Brook will be hoping that Jos Buttler finally emerges from his funk after a misfiring tournament so far

UnarGul has a rejoinder on the Babar chat: "And Australia lost their place in tournament's Super8 due to absence of that old-styled anchor role (Steve Smith) in their team??"

And Zeeshan has been crunching the numbers: "Pakistan: 0 wins vs England in T20 World Cups. England: 3 wins, including 2022 final. Today's twist? England's top order is averaging 12 this tournament. Pakistan's middle order? Also 12. Prediction: Pakistan need 40 off last 3 overs. We send a spinner at No. 5. Lose by 15 runs. Statistically perfect."

Here's Qasim: "Dont understand all the talk around Babar's role in this team. Steve Smith did the same in 2021 which Australia went on to win, Babar is slotted to do a similar role." But has T20 moved on since then? Don't see many old-style anchors these days (particularly not batting at No.4)

"I don't think it is a must win for Pakistan. They can still make it to the semis after losing today. But that would require Kiwis to lose their remaining two matches and Pakistan to beat Sri lanka. Another scenario would be if Kiwis win against England and Pakistan win against Sri Lanka, it would come down to NRR." Thanks, Sagar. Qudrat ka nizam, and all that

"I am a Pakistan fan in Melbourne planning to watch the match from midnight despite the working day tomorrow. Hoping that Pakistani team won't ruin my night (and the next day)." Stick with us, Awais Tanveer. Though I'm making no promises

Saim OUT.