England, Sri Lanka and hosts Pakistan meet in a one-day international tri-series as they build up to next year’s 50-over World Cup.
Pakistan are already up and running, having secured a 37-run win over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Sunday, but they will know a tougher test awaits against England.
Having completed an ODI-series victory over Sri Lanka on 27th September, England return to that format in the subcontinent and success could help players push for Test places in South Africa.
Each nation will play against one another twice before the top two progress to the final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, 31st October.
With Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell and Jofra Archer being three notable absentees from the squad for England, there is the opportunity for others to stake their claim.
Pakistan v England Tips Summary
Best Bet - England to win @ 8/13
Alternative Bet - Joe Root top England runscorer @ 3/1
Bet Builder - England to win, Joe Root to score 50+ runs & Shaheen Afridi to take at least one wicket @ 4/1
Pakistan v England Prediction
Best Bet: England to win @ 8/13
England and Pakistan haven’t met in a one-day international since the ICC World Cup in 2023, when England eased to a 93-run success in Kolkata.
England have won eight of the last nine ODI meetings and they are fancied to maintain that dominance in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan do have a match under their belt and will know the conditions better after a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka at this venue on Sunday.
But England have a wealth of talent at their disposal and should have all bases covered with a strong pace attack led by Gus Atkinson, and Adil Rashid back to bolster the spin.
Even with Buttler and Bethell missing, England bat extremely deep with all-rounder Sam Curran returning to the fray and Jamie Overton more than capable of inflicting late damage.
England have won six of their last eight ODIs which includes two victories over India, and in their latest 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka their successes came by 223 runs and 89 runs.
Pakistan always have to be feared on home soil but they were readily outclassed by England in a 3-0 series sweep in Test cricket in September and the shorter format may not help bridge the gap.
Alternative Bet: Joe Root top England runscorer @ 3/1
Root continues to serve as the foundational anchor and linchpin of England’s batting line-up and he has an outstanding record against Pakistan in ODIs.
In 17 ODIs against Pakistan, Root has scored 835 runs with seven 50s and is operating at an average of 52.18.
Pakistan v England Bet Builder Tip
- England to win
- Joe Root to score 50+ runs
- Shaheen Afridi to take at least one wicket
Pays 4/1
England should be confident of starting with a win over Pakistan, who were unable to lay a glove in a 3-0 Test series defeat across August and September.
Root has four fifties and two centuries in his last 10 ODI appearances and can play another starring role for the visitors.
Shaheen Afridi took three wickets for Pakistan in their opening victory over Sri Lanka and has claimed nine scalps in seven ODI meetings with England.
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Key Match Stats
- England have won eight of the last nine ODI meetings with Pakistan
- England havre won six of their last eight one-day internationals
- Salman Ali Agha has scored 421 runs in the last 10 games with an average of 52.63 for Pakistan
- The average first innings score at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is 268 runs
- Joe Root has scored 551 runs with an average of 91.83 in the last 10 ODI matches
- Pakistan (305) beat Sri Lanka (268) by 37 runs in the series opener at the same venue in Rawalpindi on Sunday
Tactics, Form and Team News
Pakistan started this ODI Tri-Series with a 37-run win over Sri Lanka and Salman Ali Agha made a triumphant return to the team with his fourth ODI century.
Captain Shaheen Afridi picked up 3-55 while Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf all took two wickets apiece, so they could be unchanged as they turn their attentions to England.
Predicted Pakistan line-up: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
Uncapped players Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe and James Coles are included in England’s 16-player squad for the trip to Pakistan.
Adil Rashid is fit again after missing the recent ODI Series win over Sri Lanka, while Sam Curran returns from a groin injury.
However, Jofra Archer is rested for the tour while Jos Buttler misses out after sustaining a hamstring injury against Sri Lanka and Jacob Bethell is still not ready to return.
Predicted England line-up: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jordan Cox (wk), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Sonny Baker.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
