PAK vs ENG Match Prediction– Who Will Win Today's T20I Match? 1st T20I, Pakistan tour of England 2024

The PAK vs ENG first T20I will be played in Headingley on May 22. That match kickstarts the four-match series with the series ending on May 30. The first T20I starts at 11 pm IST.

PAK vs ENG Team Analysis

England 

England will be led by Jos Buttler in this series. He along with his fellow England players were called back for this particular series from the IPL. Buttler the England skipper should be wary of the threat that Pakistan poses. They played the final against England in the T20 World Cup 2022. 

Jofra Archer is back in this England set as is Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, and Harry Brook. Liam Livingstone who returned back early from the IPL to take care of his knee injury is also a part of the squad. It will be interesting to see how they play at home against Pakistan. 

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Pakistan

Pakistan will be by Babar Azam who was reinstated as captain. The Men in Green recently played a T20I series against Ireland and won it 3-1 ahead of the series against England. Hasan Ali was recalled into the squad for the series. Haris Rauf and Azam Khan who missed the series against New Zealand are also back in the side. Previously Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim also came out of their retirement to be a part of the World Cup. 

Pakistan are yet to announce their squad for the World Cup and must announce it by the end of the series. England leads the head-to-head count by 19-9 in 29 T20Is against Pakistan. 

PAK vs ENG Key Factors 

Pitch Conditions 

Headingley, as a venue has hosted just two T20Is previously. The average first innings score is close to 200 and the average second innings score is close to 150. Thus there is a definite advantage for the team batting first and chasing is generally difficult at this venue. 

Form and Fitness 

The form of several England players is decent, especially after their outing in the IPL 2024. For England Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, and Phil Salt are the in-form batters after their heroics in the IPL. Liam Livingstone should be fit from his knee concerns as he is a part of the side.

For Pakistan, the batters are in decent form after their series against New Zealand and Ireland. Haris Rauf and Azam Khan are fit and recalled back into the side since missing the New Zealand series. 

Tactical Acumen

Jos Buttler the England captain is leading the England side at home. The return of the few players bolsters their squad for the series. He is a seasoned captain and will be back to his best leading the side against Pakistan. 

Much of Babar Azam's success as a skipper has come from playing in Pakistan. He has not had much success leading his team away from home. Thus this particular bilateral series will be a challenge for him. 

PAK vs ENG Score Prediction

PAK vs ENG Match Prediction– Who Will Win Today's T20I Match? 1st T20I, Pakistan tour of England 2024

Pakistan does not have a good T20I record against England. The hosts playing at home have a huge advantage of winning the series with in-form players in their squad.

Conclusion 

The two teams see this series as a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup next month. Thus the team that wins the series will have a massive boost ahead of the mega event while the losing team will need to deal with a setback.

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