The stakes couldn’t be higher as two giants of the cricketing world collide in the heart of Sri Lanka. England, led by the youthful aggression of Harry Brook, enters this fixture with significant momentum after a clinical 51-run victory over the hosts, Sri Lanka, in their Super 8 opener. A win on Tuesday would all but secure their passage to the semi-finals.
Pakistan, under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha, find themselves in a more precarious position. Their opening Super 8 fixture against New Zealand was abandoned due to rain, leaving them with just a single point. With the pressure of a must-win scenario looming, the Men in Green will be desperate to break their recent hoodoo against the English, having lost their last five T20I encounters against them.
PAK vs ENG, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details
- Date and Time: February 24 (Tuesday); 7:00 pm IST / 1:30 pm GMT / 6:30 pm local
- Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
PAK vs ENG, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is
Matches played: 30 | Pakistan won: 09 | England won: 20 | No result/Tied: 1
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The surface at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is expected to be a classic balanced T20 track, favoring stroke-makers early on. With a firm base and reliable bounce, the Powerplay offers the best chance for high scoring before the pitch slows down and becomes slightly tacky. As the match progresses, spinners and change-of-pace bowlers will likely find more grip, making middle-over accumulation vital. Evening humidity around 80% and cool conditions could aid swing early, while a high chance of rain might leave the outfield damp. Historically, a first-innings score of 165–170 is competitive here.
Squads:
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq
England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Ben Duckett, Luke Wood, Josh Tongue, Rehan Ahmed
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PAK vs ENG, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Pakistan wins the toss and bats first
- Pakistan’s Powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
- Pakistan’s total score: 160-175
Case 2:
- England wins the toss and bats first
- England’s Powerplay score: 50-60 (6 overs)
- England’s total score: 180-195
Match result: England to win the contest.
