PREVIEW: Pakistan arrive in England for T20 series at World Cup tune-up continues

Pakistan arrive off the back of some mixed results at home against weakened opposition.

England will be buoyed by some great IPL performances from key players but will want this team to gel as a unit.

This match will be just the second T20I hosted at Headingley in Leeds, coincidentally Pakistan featured in the first one as well losing in a match where they were asked to chase a target of 201.

To Win Match
England 47/100 | Tie 25/1 | Pakistan 7/1

England have a very strong squad on paper but haven’t pulled this team together for some time so this will all be about how well they can come together as a unit.

The hosts have a formidable lineup bolstered by the great form of Phil Salt in the IPL and several other Three Lions players have been in action to a lesser or greater degree.

All eyes will be on the players who will have to shift focus from red-ball county cricket to the T20I format with Ben Duckett, Harry Brook and Mark Wood notably not part of the IPL.

Jofra Archer’s return to this setup will also be keenly watched as he has spent quite a lot of time on the sidelines while England have increasingly leaned on their left-arm quicks with the ball in hand.

Pakistan also have a focus on left-arm quicks as their main weapon with both Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi included in the group and looking dangerous.

The tourists should be reasonably happy with how their top-order shapes up with Mohammad Rizwan back in the runs and Fakhar Zaman also helping to lighten the load on skipper Babar Azam.

Saim Ayub has also impressed as he has slotted into the top four for Pakistan and not looked out of place among the established stars.

The great concern for Pakistan is their use of Shadab Khan as a finisher with the all-rounder failing to really launch the innings at the death.

Verdict: England 47/100

In conditions familiar to them, England should have the edge over Pakistan.