Pakistan Vs England 1st T20 Playing 11 | Change in Openers

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Pakistan will face England in a four-match T20I series which is set to begin on May 22 in Leeds. The series would be of significant importance to both teams as this will be their last outing before the T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan recently played two T20I series, one against an inexperienced New Zealand side at home while the other was against Ireland in Dublin. They were Babar Azam’s first tests after being reappointed as white-ball captain.

The Green Shirts drew the T20I series against New Zealand 2-2 at home as one match was called off due to rain. Meanwhile, they managed to beat Ireland 2-1. However, despite winning the series, the problems were quite evident for the Men in Green which they have to sort out before the World Cup begins.

In the last seven T20Is, Babar’s side managed to win four and lost three. This may look like a good stat but in reality it isn’t as their opponents weren’t at the same level.

As the T20Is against England nears, we take a look at three important things Pakistan need to sort out before the World Cup as they have struggled the most in these areas.

Opening slot

Babar Azam, along with Saim Ayub, open the innings for Pakistan in the shorter format. The combination of left-right and both batters being different looks good on paper but it has not been translated on the pitch. Saim only has 284 runs in 18 innings since his debut without scoring a single half-century.

In most of the matches, the left-hander threw his wicket away without contributing big which put Pakistan in trouble. As the World Cup looms, the England series would be the last chance for Saim to prove himself or else we might see the opening pair of Babar and Mohammad Rizwan once again.

Middle-order

Pakistan have had a history of having a shaky middle-over over the years, be it ODIs or T20Is, as they have struggled to score big. However, with the presence of players like Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Irfan Khan and others, the Green Shirts, this time, have players they can rely upon.

However, there are still multiple question marks over which player will play more or which player will be used at a certain position. As per reports, Usman Khan may play against England which means Azam Khan will sit on the bench as Pakistan will not play with three wicketkeepers.

The Men in Green would need to sort their middle-order out or it will become a matter of concern in the World Cup with many players in line.

Pace options

Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi form a long list of pacers Pakistan will have in the series against England and sorting which ones to name in the final squad for the World Cup can become a challenge for them.

Not just that, they also have spin options like Imad Wasim, Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed and even Saim Ayub.

With many players who can contribute with the ball, Pakistan quickly need to find the right balance between spin and pace as the England series will be their last chance to test theif combination before the World Cup.

Squads

England: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan

Pakistan vs England men’s T20I series:

May 22: First T20I at Leeds

May 25: Second T20I at Birmingham

May 28: Third T20I at Cardiff

May 30: Fourth T20I at The Oval

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