England and Pakistan couldn’t get their series underway at Headingley due to heavy rain in Leeds on Thursday. However, the forecast for Edgbaston looks positive and the action should get underway in Birmingham.
England have some great players in good form available to them as do the visiting Pakistan. The visitors, however, didn’t cover themselves in glory in New Zealand against a vastly underpowered Black Caps outfit. How will they fare in England?
To Win Match
England 46/100 | Tie 25/1 | Pakistan 7/4
Jos Buttler is one of the England players in great form, but he was seemingly none too happy to be yanked out of the IPL to play this four-match series for his country.
With the England skipper a little reluctant to play this series how the hosts perform will be of great interest.
England can field a world-class XI with any combination of their current squad members. Harry Brook returns to the squad after a brief hiatus from international cricket and he is one of several top batters available to Matthew Mott has also backed Jofra Archer to be massively influential on his return to playing for England.
Buttler singled out the efforts of Willa Jacks and Brooks in driving the team forward and acknowledged the form of Phil Salt. The first team they field will be of great interest to many around the world, not just in England.
Pakistan have yet to name their T20 World Cup squad, straggling behind the other 19 nations set to head to the showpiece.
Hasan Ali was released from the squad to fulfil a county cricket deal with Warwickshire.
It looks likely that Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir will lead the Pakistan attack at Edgbaston.
Babar Azam’s form is generally an indicator of Pakistan’s form and so much still depends on the skipper even with the talents that surround him.
Verdict: England 46/100
England are at home and the individuals in their squad have been playing good cricket around the globe. They should have edge.
