Following an energizing victory over Ireland, Pakistan faces a tough opponent in England for a four-match T20I series starting on May 22 in Leeds. This series serves as a crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled for June in the USA and the West Indies.
Pakistan arrives with momentum from their 2-1 series win against Ireland, where skipper Babar Azam shone in the final game, scoring a swift 75 off 42 balls to lead his team to victory. Prior to this, they hosted a second-string New Zealand team at home, resulting in a 2-2 draw after rain disrupted the series opener.
The Men in Green have several options in their squad, especially with Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, and Imad Wasim back in the lineup. They also feature powerful batters like Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Iftikhar Ahmed, who can dominate the opposition on their best days. Additionally, Shaheen Afridi’s recent form has boosted Pakistan. The star fast bowler, who was dismissed as Pakistan’s T20I captain after a brief tenure, regained his confidence with impressive performances against New Zealand and Ireland.
On the other hand, prominent England stars like Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, and Moeen Ali return from IPL 2024, where they delivered outstanding performances. With Salt’s impact as an opener and Jonny Bairstow back, England faces the challenge of arranging their playing XI from a wealth of options.
Jofra Archer returns after a 14-month break, and this series serves as a vital test for him to secure his place ahead of the big event.
Projected Lineups:
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir
England: Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt (wk), Will Jacks, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Reece Topley
Prediction:
Both sides bring significant firepower, but England’s home advantage might give them the edge, potentially securing a 1-0 lead in the series.
