Pakistan who are in England for the past week or so will finally collide with the home side after three warm-up games. It is time for the last limited-overs series for both Pakistan and England before the World Cup. Pakistan’s proposed tour will see them contesting in a solitary T20 game followed by 5 match ODI series which kickstarts from tomorrow i.e. 05th May.
The English summer just started with the Royal One-Day Cup and many of their international stars were involved in the competition which has given them a lot of time to prepare for this series. Players like Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler who are coming after a hectic IPL schedule, have been rested for the solitary T20I and will be joining the squad for the One-dayers.
However, bowling all-rounder Jofra Archer who was presented with his ODI cap in the match against Ireland will be a part of this series as well along with one more debutant from the last game the wicket-keeper batsmen Ben Foakes. Amidst the news of debutants, the home side has struck with an injury blow as well with Dawid Malan ruled out of this game after a muscle injury to his left groin. Sussex batsmen Philip Salt has been named as his replacement.
Injuries have hindered the visiting side camp as well with their bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan out with a virus and has been advised to take ample rest before the World Cup. This means he will be missing the ODI series as well.
England’s record against Pakistan in T20Is is brilliant as they have 9 victories over them from 14 encounters. Going by the venue, England has never lost a T2oI here in Cardiff a record which they will look to maintain.
Pakistan won: 01
England won: 03
No Result/Tied: 01
Pakistan vs England
Venue: SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
Time: May 05, 07:00 PM
Pakistan squad to face England:
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Mohammad Amir, Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Shaheen Afridi, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Hasan Ali
England squad to face Pakistan:
Eoin Morgan (c), Joe Denly, Joe Root, David Willey, Jofra Archer, Tom Curran, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Phil Salt, James Vince, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Chris Jordan.
Pakistan:
In the batting facet, the onus would be on the likes Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman who are coming into this game after a brilliant run in the warm-up games. Fakhar scored 101 against Northants, whereas, Azam scored 101 against Leicestershire.
Imad Wasim the all-rounder scalped 4 wickets in three warm-up games and even scored an unbeaten 117 against Kent in the first warm-up game. In the bowling department, Mohd Amir and Yasir Shah will hold the key.
England:
For the English side, their batting will revolve on the likes of Eoin Morgan, James Vince who has been in a terrific form and Joe Root, Joe Denly. Their bowling will heavily depend on the likes of Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, and Tom Curran.