In the upcoming third T20I between England and Pakistan at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Tuesday, May 28, England leads the four-match series 1-0 after their victory by 23 runs in the second T20I at Edgbaston. Key performances in that match came from Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, Moeen Ali, and Jofra Archer.
England will miss their regular captain Jos Buttler, who is on paternity leave. In his absence, Moeen Ali will lead the team. England will rely on a strong batting lineup featuring Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, and Moeen Ali himself. With Buttler out, Jonny Bairstow is expected to open the innings alongside Phil Salt, while Sam Curran is likely to come into the playing XI to bolster the all-round options.
Pakistan, aiming to bounce back, will rely on their potent bowling attack. Pacers Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, and Haris Rauf, along with spinners Imad Wasim and Abrar Ahmed, will be crucial in dismantling England’s batting order.
The match is set to be a competitive encounter as both teams strive for victory, with England looking to extend their lead and Pakistan seeking to level the series.
Match Details
| Match | England Vs Pakistan, 3rd T20I |
| Venue | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff |
| Date & Time | Tuesday, May 28, 07:00 pm IST |
| Live Broadcast and Streaming | Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV (app and website) |
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Pitch Report
The deck at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff is anticipated to offer consistent pace and bounce, which will initially favor fast bowlers due to some seam movement from surface moisture. This characteristic is beneficial for the seamers, especially in the early stages of the match. As the game progresses, the pitch is expected to become more conducive to batting, allowing batters to play their shots with more confidence.
However, the pitch at Cardiff typically retains moisture and does not dry out significantly over time. This characteristic limits the potential for significant turn, making it less favorable for spinners as the match wears on. As a result, both teams might strategize to exploit the early seam movement by using their fast bowlers effectively upfront and rely on their batting strength in the latter stages of the game.
Considering these pitch conditions, the fast bowlers from both sides, like England’s Jofra Archer and Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi, will be key players to watch in the initial overs. Meanwhile, the batters will look to capitalize once the surface settles down, leading to an interesting contest between bat and ball.
ENG vs PAK Head-to-Head Record
| Matches Played | 31 |
| Won by England | 20 |
| Won by Pakistan | 09 |
| No Result | 02 |
| First-ever Fixture | August 28, 2006 (PAK Won) |
| Most Recent Fixture | May 25, 2024 (ENG Won) |
ENG vs PAK Probable Playing XIs
England:
Philip Salt, Jonny Bairstow, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali (c), Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley
Pakistan:
Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan/Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir
ENG vs PAK Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter:
Talented batter Will Jacks has been in scintillating form, especially following a fantastic IPL 2024 season with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His standout performance came against the Gujarat Titans, where he showcased his aggressive batting prowess by scoring his maiden IPL century, dismantling their bowling attack with ease.
Given the current form of Pakistan’s spinners, who have been underperforming, Jacks poses a significant threat in the upcoming T20I fixture at Sophia Gardens. His ability to punish spin bowling could lead to a high-scoring performance if he gets going. The Cardiff pitch, with its limited turn for spinners, further tilts the advantage towards Jacks, setting the stage for potentially explosive batting against Pakistan.
England will be banking on Jacks to capitalize on these favorable conditions and continue his rich vein of form, providing them with a strong foundation and putting pressure on Pakistan’s bowlers.
Probable Best Bowler:
Shaheen Shah Afridi was indeed the standout bowler for Pakistan in the previous T20I, where he took three wickets for 36 runs in his four overs. As a left-arm seamer, Afridi’s ability to generate swing makes him particularly dangerous, especially if there is some early movement available.
The expected overcast conditions at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff could further enhance his effectiveness. Such conditions are conducive to swing bowling, potentially giving Afridi an edge in the initial overs. His skill in exploiting any available seam and swing could make him a pivotal player for Pakistan, capable of taking early wickets and putting England’s batting lineup under pressure from the start.
With his form and the favorable conditions, Shaheen Afridi is a strong candidate to deliver another impactful performance and be a key factor in Pakistan’s bowling attack.
Scenario 1
England win the toss and opt to bowl first
Power Play Score: 40-50
First Innings Score: 170-180
England win the match
Scenario 2
Pakistan win the toss and opt to bowl first
Power Play score: 40-50
First Innings Score: 170-190
Pakistan win the match