England vs Pakistan – 1st T20 International Preview & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
This four-match T20i series between England and Pakistan serves as a final preparation for both nations for the start of next month’s ICC T20 World Cup, the most recent edition of which saw these two teams face off in the final, with England coming out on top.
DATE/TIME: Wednesday 22nd May 2024, UK – 18:30 / PAKISTAN - 22:30 / INDIA – 23:00 / US EST – 13:30 / US PST – 11:30
VENUE: Headingley, Leeds, England
WEATHER: Heavy rain is expected across the entirety of Wednesday in Leeds with temperatures at 14c throughout.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UNITED KINGDOM – Sky Sports / PAKISTAN – Ten Sports / INDIA - Sony Sports / UNITED STATES - Willow TV / AUSTRALIA - Fox Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UNITED KINGDOM – Sky Go / PAKISTAN – Tapmad
ENGLAND FORM: NOT COMPETED IN THE T20 FORMAT SINCE 2023
You have to go back to last December for England’s last bilateral T20i series, which saw them beaten 3-2 by West Indies. This was on the back of their ICC Cricket World Cup humiliation in the fall, so we shouldn’t take much out of that result. The gap between series has been too long and this represents a fresh start for Jos Buttler’s side.
LAST FIVE: LWWLL
PAKISTAN FORM: BABAR’S MEN COME FROM BEHIND TO DEFEAT IRELAND
After being stunned by Ireland in the opening game of their three-match series earlier this month, Pakistan recovered and bounced back with consecutive wins, chasing down targets of 194 and 179 with skipper Babar Azam very happy that his side were given a significant challenge and took a great deal from the three fixtures.
LAST FIVE: WWLWL
ENGLAND BETTING ANALYSIS
The first most important thing to note on the betting front is the awful weather forecast for this game. With that in mind, make sure to only bet on markets that offer your stake back, should the match be abandoned.
Jofra Archer is set to make his grand return to international cricket here and the right-arm fast bowler will be desperate to make an immediate impact. Whilst he may show some rust across his four-over spell and leak a few boundaries, the generational pace of Archer makes him a consistent wicket threat. Back the Sussex man to comeback in style with a stake on him finishing as England’s top bowler.
Investing in players with a point to prove prior to the T20 World Cup is a smart move when assessing a series such as this. One such man is Liam Livingstone, who needs a good hit at the crease to ensure his place in England’s starting line-up next month. The Lancashire star has previously for clearing the boundaries ropes with regularity at Headingley, so back him to record over 1.5 match sixes.
PAKISTAN BETTING ANALYSIS
As is the case with any specific bets related to England, don’t make any investments without ensuring you are credited with your stakes back in the event of a washout with rain expected at Headingley.
Pakistan will have been delighted to see Shaheen Shah Afridi going through the gears against Ireland and the left-arm pacer looked ominously strong with bigger challengers ahead. Shaheen heads to Leeds on the back of consecutive three-wicker hauls and backing him to accrue over 1.5 wickets here, is an enticing move at good value.
Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan also ended the series in impressive fashion, hitting 75 not out followed by 56 in the deciding game. Opening the batting, Rizwan has license to play expansively and make use of the powerplay. Back him to score 30+ runs and over 2.5 match fours.
ENGLAND VS PAKISTAN EXPERT PREDICTION
It’s hard to predict a winner in this first T20i, mainly due to the expected rain, which is likely to see the match ultimately rained off, unless the forecast dramatically changes over the next 24 hours. Both sides are packed full of international talent, but key is that Pakistan have been together more recently, working on their deficiencies and gaining crucial match time as a collective unit.
The England players may need time to get used to each other again and how best to function together, with many having been away at the IPL. Against a fit and fresh Pakistan, whose tactics are more clear-cut following the Ireland series, this could see the hosts start slowly. Therefore, if we do end up seeing a result here, Pakistan may be the more likely to win it.
ENGLAND VS PAKISTAN TIP: PAKISTAN TO WIN
