England vs Pakistan – 1st T20 International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is England vs Pakistan taking place? Friday, July 16th, 2021 – 18:30 (UK)
Where is England vs Pakistan taking place? Trent Bridge, Nottingham
What is the expected weather for England vs Pakistan? 24-25c, with sunshine and a gentle breeze
What channel is England vs Pakistan on? The match will be televised live on Sky Sports
Where can I stream England vs Pakistan? The match can be streamed live via SkyGo
LAST MEETING
Pakistan beat England by 5 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
ENGLAND
- England saved their most impressive win until last in the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, with the reserve side chasing down a target of 332 to win with three wickets remaining in the third game and seal a 3-0 series sweep.
- The performances of fast bowler Saqib Mahmood and all-rounder Lewis Gregory over the course of the three ODIs have seen both earn call-ups to a vastly changed squad for this three-match T20 series, which sees Eoin Morgan return as captain and wicketkeeper batter Jos Buttler selected in the squad following a calf injury.
- Alongside Morgan, eight other players are named from the group that were forced to self-isolate and miss the ODI series after coming into contact with an individual who had tested positive for COVID-19, whilst all-rounder Ben Stokes who captained the side so admirably in the 50 over format, has been rested.
PAKISTAN
- Following a truly disastrous ODI series, Pakistan will be determined to show a much better version of themselves in the three T20i matches, starting at Trent Bridge.
- Captain Babar Azam was a shining light for the tourists in their third ODI defeat after hitting a majestic 158 and once again, his side will look to him when it comes to supplying the bulk of Pakistan’s runs alongside wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.
- Left arm fast-bowler Shaheen Afridi is an outstanding operator in the shortest format of international cricket and is expected to spearhead the Pakistan bowling attack in this first T20i with the support of Haris Rauf, but they face an intimidating task against an explosive England batting line-up on a usually flat Trent Bridge pitch.
THE PREDICTION
England’s makeshift ODI squad deserve all the praise that has rightly headed their way following a truly magnificent showing over Pakistan, stunning the tourists by winning all three matches and now the onus is on the returning Eoin Morgan and his T20 stars to follow on from their exploits as a number of England’s regular white ball players return to action following their period of self-isolation. How the enforced absence will affect those England players remains to be seen, but it is expected that the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy and Morgan among others will be desperate to get out there and put in good performances ahead of the T20 World Cup later in the year.
It really would be classic Pakistan to come out and beat England here after such a lame ODI showing, which makes the match fairly difficult to predict. However, England’s attacking prowess with the bat in T20i cricket is notorious and the Pakistan bowlers are likely to struggle badly if a player like Bairstow or Roy gets going. Such firepower will likely overwhelm the tourists and lead England to victory in this opening T20i of the series.
