ENG v PAK, only T20I Preview: Bragging rights up for grabs

The first and the only England v Pakistan T20 international will quite effectively be the one that seals the bragging rights as far as both sides are concerned. With Pakistan scoring a moral win in the Test series and England roaring back in the ODIs, it is clear that 40 overs at Old Trafford will quite literally be the one match that settles everything as far as the series and the tour is concerned.

Pitch Conditions:

Past results go on to state that rain almost always has a say in fixtures that take place in Old Trafford, Manchester. Three of the six matches played here have typically concluded in abandonment or have ceased to yield a result. In that capacity, it is safe to say the Brits have a 100% record at this venue having won all the games that have indeed had a result. However, the wicket is expected to be a damp one and will help the bowlers.

Team Analysis-

England:

Eoin Morgan and his men come into the series on the back of a thumping 4-1 win in the recently concluded ODI series. With the core of the One-Day squad making the decision to stay for the T20I, the England management’s problems as far as claiming a win is at a minimum. However, with an unpredictable Pakistan taking the field as the opposition, Morgan will be hoping to execute the plans set forth ahead of the encounter.

While the selectors have gone in with a traditional selection policy of picking the players who are guaranteed to perform, one player attracts the spotlight on himself. Tymal Mills was a relatively unknown name before the ECB even realized that he could bowl in excess of 92 mph. This ensures that Mills may well find himself a spot in the XI ahead of a few seasoned players.

Also read – I think most of the England players will tour Bangladesh: Trevor Bayliss

Pakistan:

Pakistan enters the encounter as clear underdogs given their recent history and terrible record in England in the limited-overs’ format. However, the fact that they impressed quite a bit in the final ODI shows the resurgence they have made under the new coach Mickey Arthur. Moreover, the fact that they hold the status of being a World T20 winner in the past also adds fuel to the fire.

The spotlight will well and truly be hogged by Pakistani spinner Imad Wasim. The 27-year old has exuded confidence in the last few matches and also impressed in the final ODI of the series with both bat and ball. He will certainly be a fine addition to the side. Moreover, the spotlight will be on Sarfraz Ahmed who is all set to lead the Pakistanis in his first ever T20 international.

Probable XI-

England:

Eoin Morgan (C), Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, Tymal Mills/David Willey

Pakistan: (As per Geo channel)

Sarfraz Ahmed (C/wk), Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Sohail Tanvir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir

StAttack-

1. England has a good record in T20 internationals at Old Trafford. In 6 matches, they have won just three times. The other three matches were either called off or abandoned.

2. Alex Hales is the only England batsman to score a century in T20 internationals for England.

3. Jos Buttler requires 88 runs to complete 1000 T20I runs. Sam Billings requires 1 run to complete 100 runs.

4. Apart from boasting of the best figures in T20 internationals, Umar Gul requires 13 wickets to tie Shahid Afridi in the number one spot as the leading wicket-taker in the format.