England vs Pakistan, ICC MT20 WC, 2026 Feb 24 Full score card

FOUR! Jofra Archer hits the winning runs! ENGLAND WIN BY 2 WICKETS AND MAKE IT TO THE SEMI FINAL. Salman Mirza bangs this into the pitch, pace on. Archer gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away, to the left of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Last over coming up. England need 3 to win. And Pakistan are penalised for a slow over rate as well. Salman Mirza to bowl the final over.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Jofra Archer knocks it down the pitch to the right of the bowler. Nawaz moves to his right, but Dawson comes in his way and he ends up diving over the ball, allowing a run. 3 needed in the last over.

Jofra Archer is the new batter in for England.

OUT! STUMPED! Is there a twist still left in the tale? Mohammad Nawaz gives this one some more air, full and on off, lures the batter. Jamie Overton skips down the track to go for the glory shot but gets beaten on the flight, and Usman Khan behind the stumps does the rest. England are 161/8, still needing 4 runs in 7 balls.

Oh..two dots! Flighted, full and on middle, Jamie Overton tucks it towards mid-wicket. Liam Dawson wants the run but he is sent back just in time.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Jamie Overton pushes it back to the bowler.

Short and around off, Liam Dawson punches it to sweeper cover for a single. England one hit away from the win now.

Liam Dawson walks in at number 9.

OUT! TIMBER! Mohammad Nawaz gets a wicket but it is too little too late for Pakistan. He bowls this slower through the air, shortish and on middle, angling in. Will Jacks moves to the leg side to make room and go over covers, but plays all over it. The ball goes through and hits the top of the leg stump. England are 160/7, needing 5 more from 11 balls.

Mohammad Nawaz (2-0-24-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Will Jacks slashes hard at it. Gets an outside edge that goes on the bounce to third man. They cross. 5 needed in 12 balls now.

Another dot! Full again and on off, Will Jacks pushes it straight to short cover.

Three dots in a row now! Goes fuller and on leg, angling in and keeps a bit low. Will Jacks makes room to drive it but fails to connect.

Short of a length and around of, Will Jacks tries to pull but gets a bottom edge to the left of the keeper.

A good wide yorker this time, outside off, Will Jacks jams it out towards backward point.

WIDE! Good length but way outside off, Will Jacks leaves it alone. Another wide. England just one big hit away from the win now.

Pitched up and on middle, Will Jacks flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

WIDE! Slower bouncer, outside off, Will Jacks leaves it alone. Wided.

End of a majestic knock from the English skipper. They need 10 from 18 balls as Jamie Overton arrives at the crease at number 8.

OUT! CASTLED! Hundred and out for Harry Brook. Shaheen Afridi nails the yorker this time, on middle. Harry Brook backs away and tries to open the face of his bat to guide it away but fails to get it down in time. The ball goes through and hits the base of the middle stump. Brook is frustrated as he cannot stay till the end. Gets a pat on the back from Shaheen and a big applause from the crowd as well. Fourth wicket for Shaheen and England are 155/6.

FOUR! HUNDRED FOR BROOK! This has been a special knock from the English skipper. When others struggled, he stood tall and has all but sealed a semi-final spot for his country. Fuller delivery, on off, Harry Brook shows the full face of the bat and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. He roars in delight as this is his maiden T20I century, which has come in just 50 balls.

SIX! Harry Brook is in a hurry now! Shaheen Afridi bangs this into the pitch, outside off, pace on as well. Brook comes down the track, stays leg side of the ball and slaps it over the deep extra cover fence for half a dozen more.

On a length and on middle, Will Jacks pats it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Gets it away! Back of a length and on middle, takes pace off. Will Jacks looks to swipe it away, but goes through the shot a bit too early. Gets an inside edge that races to the deep backward square leg fence for a boundary. 21 needed in 22 balls now.

Fuller and on off, Will Jacks drives it away towards sweeper cover for yet another double.

So England manage 14 runs from Tariq's last over. They need only 27 runs from the last 4 overs now. Shaheen has one left. Mirza has a couple remaining. And Pakistan are running out of options and plans now. Okay then, Shaheen Afridi (3-0-13-3) to bowl out.

FOUR! Harry Brook moves into the 90s now. Flatter delivery, short and around off. Brook throws his hands at it and gets an outside edge that races to the third man fence for a boundary. An expensive end to Tariq's final over, but still a good spell from him with figures of 4-0-31-2.

Short again and outside off, Will Jacks cuts it away to deep point for one.

SIX! Goes all the way! Usman Tariq tries to bowl the googly but drags it way back, around leg. Will Jacks opens up his stance and heaves it away, hitting it flat and over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Drops it a bit short and on middle, turns in, Will Jacks pats it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, full and on off, Harry Brook eases it to long off for a single.

Overthrows! Floated, short and down the leg side, Harry Brook paddles it away towards short fine for a single. Shaheen Afridi throws it at the bowler's end, where Usman Tariq fails to collect it and lets it through, which allows an extra run.

Right. Last 5 overs coming up. England need 41 runs from 30 balls. Pakistan's last roll of the dice pretty likely. Usman Tariq to bowl out. 3-0-17-2 are his bowling figures so far.

Not that short, just around off. Brook hangs back and punches it wide of long off for an easy single again.

Short and outside off, Jacks knocks it to the left of cover for a tight single.

Fuller and slower through the air, allowing the ball to grip from middle and leg. Will Jacks leans on and nudges it gently to deep square leg and they scamper back for the second run.

Low full toss, on the pads, Brook clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single. And according to Michael Atherton on air, this is Brook's highest T20I score.

Sees Brook advance down the pitch, Nawaz drags his length back and keeps it on middle. Brook adjusts well and eases it to cover.

Good running again! Full and drifting on the leg stump line, Brook flicks it along the ground in the long on and deep mid-wicket gap and they hustle back for the second run.

DRINKS! England are ahead in this chase, with skipper Harry Brook leading from the front. They need 48 runs in 36 balls now. It has looked like he is batting on an entirely different surface, while the others have struggled to get going. However, with 5 wickets lost, Pakistan know that if they can manage to get a wicket or two quickly, they can put pressure back on England here. The problem for them have been that, except for Usman Tariq, the other spinners have not been able to make any sort of impact. Here is Mohammad Nawaz to bowl after the break.

Goes deep in the crease again and cuts this length ball to deep backward point for a single.

Fantastic running between the wickets! A touch shorter than the previous ball, outside off, Harry Brook goes back in the crease and crunches it to deep cover for a couple of runs.

Very slow, at 78.5 kph, on a good length, outside off, Jacks punches it through widish mid off for a single.

Quicker one, skids through from a length, on middle, Harry Brook is rushed on the back foot and heaves it off the inside edge to square leg for a single. Usman Khan appeals for LBW, but the umpire walks away.

Floated, shortish and on off, turns in. Harry Brook clips it towards the vacant square leg region and turns around for the second run quite comfortably, making it as well.

Flatter, full and around off, Harry Brook waits for it and steers it to short third.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Will Jacks backs away and looks to swat it but gets a bottom edge onto his pads as the ball goes nowhere. Just the one six from the over.

Back of a length around off, and Jacks once again can only nudge it tamely back down the pitch off the inside half of the bat.

Nagging length, on off, Jacks chops it to the off side.

SIX! That's a glorious hit! Mirza hurls it on a good length, but offers a lot of width outside off. Will Jacks stays leg side, hits it through the line and clubs it over deep cover for a huge six. England need 55 more from 45 balls.

On a back of a length, around off, Will punches it to cover.

From around the wicket. Length ball at 134.9 kph, on off, Will Jacks stabs it to backward point off the back foot.

Salman Agha brings pace back on. Salman Mirza replaces Shadab Khan.

Loopy full toss, on off, at 79.8 kph, Will Jacks leans on the front foot and eases it to long off for a single.

The next batter is....Will Jacks.

OUT! FLATLY HIT AND TAKEN! Curran couldn't have picked a fielder any better in the outfield. Tariq's magic continues with the ball as he picks up his second and his 10th wicket in this T20 World Cup. On a lower trajectory, short and on middle and leg. Sam Curran gets crouched a bit and goes for a pull shot, but cannot find the correct timing on that one. Hits it flatly towards deep mid-wicket, where Mohammad Nawaz gets a simple catching practice. Usman breaks the 45-run partnership as England are 103/5, chasing 165.

There comes the dramatic pause again from Tariq. A touch short, drifting on the leg stump. Brook hangs deep in the crease and whips it behind square on the leg side for a single.

The high-arm delivery, short and outside off, Curran rocks back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Slower through the air, on a fullish length, Sam chips it on the bounce to Tariq.

Slides one onto the pads, on a length, this is nudged between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple more. 100 UP FOR ENGLAND!

Usman Tariq (1-0-5-1) is back on.

FOUR! Brook on a rampage as he moves to 72 from just 35 balls. Shadab goes short, on middle and leg. Harry Brook reads the length early and pulls it off the back foot over wide long on for a boundary. 17 runs from this over.

SIX! MONSTROUS! Shadab serves it full and on middle, Harry Brook comes dancing down the track, gets under the ball cleanly and golfs it gun-barrel straight down the ground for a cracking six. Brave intent-laden batting this from the English skipper.

On a length outside off, worked into the vacant mid-wicket region for a single, making Shadab put in a bit of extra running.

Too full, on the stumps, flicked off the front foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Such a good shot that is! Drops it full, does Khan, but down leg. Brook plants his knee on the pitch and nails the sweep shot to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Flatter and quicker, around off, Sam dabs it off the outer half to widish short third for a single.

Halfway reached. England are 82/4 and need 83 runs more to win. Pakistan, at the same stage, were 70/2. Brook has displayed good batsmanship, leading from the front in this chase as this partnership between him and Curran is budding steadily. Shadab Khan to continue from this end. So not quite sure why has Tariq been removed from the attack despite picking a wicket in his first over.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Sam Curran works it towards long on for one more. He wants the second, but Brook slips at the other end and sends him back.

Tossed up, full and on off, Harry Brook drives it away towards sweeper cover for one. Babar Azam cannot pick it up cleanly but it does not cost anything.

FOUR! Poor delivery and gets the treatment! Dragged back and down the leg side, begging to be put away. Harry Brook just helps it on its way past short fine for a boundary.

In the air... SAFE! Floated, short again and on middle, turns away a bit as it is the carrom ball. Harry Brook moves back to heave it away but gets a top edge. It flies in the air but drops well wide of the deep square leg fielder. Two taken.

Short and on middle, Sam Curran tucks it towards mid-wicket for a run. Saim Ayub is quick to get to the ball to deny the second.

FIFTY FOR BROOK! A move to number 3 has paid dividends for the English skipper, and he has led from the front with his superb knock. This is his 7th T20I half century. Floated, full and around leg, Harry Brook paddles it to short fine for a single. Not much of a celebration as he knows, the job is far from done here.

Shockingly, just one over for Tariq. Probably to change his end? Saim Ayub comes back into the attack. 1-0-11-0 so far.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! That is very poor fielding. Shadab Khan drags his length back again, on middle. Sam Curran hangs back and swats it down the ground. There are shouts of 'Catch it,' but it falls short of long on. Shaheen Afridi fails to read the bounce of the ball and lets it over his head for a boundary.

Shortish delivery, on leg, stops in the pitch and turns in, Sam Curran moves back and flicks it to short fine.

Gives this one some more air, full and on off, turns away a bit. Harry Brook uses his feet and pushes it to sweeper cover for one.

WIDE! Flatter, full but way outside off, Harry Brook leaves it alone. Called a wide.

Goes shorter and on middle, Sam Curran stays back and clips it to short fine for another run.

Flighted, full and on off, Harry Brook drills it to long off for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Sam Curran whips it aerially but safely wide of long on for a single. There is a fumble in the deep by Shaheen Afridi but England cannot take advantage of it.

Bowls this with a round-arm action, short and on middle, Sam Curran nudges it to short fine for one more. Just 5 runs and a wicket from Tariq's first over!

Loops it up, full and on leg, Harry Brook works it through square leg for one.

Flatter delivery at 80.3 kph, full and on leg, Sam Curran clips it through square leg for another run.

Short again and on off, turns into the right-hander, Harry Brook slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.

Floats it up, short and around off, turns in, Sam Curran punches it through covers for a single.

The slide continues for England. But they do bat deep and will need someone to partner Brook to take the game deep. Sam Curran arrives at the crease at number 6.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Usman Tariq strikes gold with his very first delivery. He bowls a wrong'un, short and just around off, holds up in the surface a bit. Tom Banton makes room and goes for the cut but only manages a slight nick behind, where Usman Khan takes a sharp catch, his third of the match so far. England are 58/4, still needing 107 runs in 77 balls.

Usman Tariq is called into the attack now, replacing Mohammad Nawaz.

Goes short again and outside off, Harry Brook cuts it away to point.

Close! Shadab Khan sees the batter advance and drags his length back a bit, on off. Harry Brook tries to push it away but gets an inside edge just past the leg stump towards fine leg for a brace.

Drops it short and on middle, Harry Brook moves back and tucks it with soft hands towards deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second run. Good running!

Flighted, full and on leg, Tom Banton eases it to long on for a single.

Floated, full and around off, Tom Banton tries the reverse again but gets it from the innner half of the bat towards short third.

Tossed up, full and on off, Tom Banton taps it towards backward point.

DRINKS BREAK! This has been a dream start for Pakistan with the ball as they have managed to dismiss the top three of England inside the Powerplay. They have kept England in check but Harry Brook has displayed a positive intent, batting on 41 off just 20 balls, in the team score of 53. England need a steady partnership to cool things down and Pakistan would aim for a couple of more wickets to assert their dominance. But it will be quite a challenge for them with the increasing presence of dew around. Let's see how the Pakistani spinners do in this middle phase. Here's Shadab Khan into the attack.

SIX! BANG! Harry Brook goes big now. Mohammad Nawaz drags his length back, on middle. Brook does fully transfer his weight on the back foot and manages to muscle it over the long on fence for a biggie. Pakistan end the Powerplay on 53/3.

Safe! Slower through the air, full and on off, sticks to the surface a bit. Harry Brook looks to punch it away but gets it from the bottom half of the bat. It flies to the right of the bowler, but Nawaz cannot reach it.

FOUR! Two in two! Floated, full and on off, Harry Brook goes inside out and lofts it cleanly over extra cover for another boundary.

FOUR! Nicely played! Tossed up, full and on leg, turns away a bit. Harry Brook goes down and sweeps it over backward square leg for a boundary.

Goes short and around off, Harry Brook nudges it through square leg for a couple of runs.

Floated, full and around off, Tom Banton goes for the reverse sweep but ends up gloving it to the left of short third for a single.

Mohammad Nawaz is brought into the attack now, replacing Saim Ayub.

A big appeal for LBW, but nothing doing. Pakistan do not go upstairs for a review either as it looked a bit too high. Back of a length at 139.6 kph, drifting well outside leg and shaping away from Banton. Deep in his crease, Tom misses the flick and the ball brushes his front pad before rolling to backward point for a leg bye.

England are in big, big trouble here. Tom Banton is the next man in.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Farhan with an absolutely stunning catch. Shaheen gets his third wicket. He bangs it short, on top of middle. Jacob Bethell gets a bit tucked up for space but goes through for the pull shot. Mistimes it in the air to deep square leg. Sahibzada Farhan covers good ground to his right in the outfield and takes a superb catch by diving. England are 35/3, needing 130 more off 91 balls.

Speares it full on off. Jacob stays leg side and carves it powerfully to mid off.

Full and straight, on the leg stump line, Harry Brook exposes his stumps by backing away and drills it down to the left of mid on. Fakhar Zaman stops it one-handed by diving to his left. Saves a certain boundary. Just a single.

FOUR! Nice shot! Back of a length on leg stump at 125 kph. Brook makes room, gets nicely on top of the bounce, and times a superb punch through the gap between extra cover and mid off.

A close single! A knee height full toss, on off. Jacob punches it to the mid off fielder and they set off for a run. The fielder picks it up and hits the bullseye at the non-striker's end, but the replay shows that Bethell is comfortably in by then.

Double change? No, Shaheen Afridi to get a third over in the Powerplay.

FOUR! Sprinkles salt on wounds, does Brook! Too full, on leg, Harry Brook walks down the pitch and shovels it powerfully through mid on for a cracking boundary.

IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Usman Tariq grasses an absolute sitter and Bethell can breathe a sigh of relief. Floated up at 84.4 kph, full on middle, Bethell drops to one knee for the slog sweep but only manages a top edge that balloons straight towards short fine leg. Usman Khan runs behind and Tariq converges by running forward-left, but does not look in balance at all and puts it down. A single taken.

Nicely flighted on a fuller length, on middle, Jacob Bethell leans on and smothers the spin.

FOUR! Beautifully played! Saim goes short on the stumps, Jacob Bethell rocks back quickly and nails the pull shot through the mid-wicket gap for a cracking four.

Flatter and short, on middle and leg, Harry goes deep in the crease and dinks it wide of mid-wicket for a quick single. England need 145 runs from 100 balls.

Starts from around the stump. Short, sliding in on middle, Jacob Bethell backs away and punches it down to long off for a run.

Time for some spin now as Saim Ayub replaces Salman Mirza.

Short of a good length, onto the pads, Jacob Bethell gets inside the line and whips it to deep backward square leg for a single. Another successful over from Shaheen. Just 4 runs and a wicket of Buttler from it.

Full again, on middle, stylishly driven on the up to the cover fielder.

Full and straight, on off, Jacob Bethell leans on and creams it straight to mid off.

England lose both the openers now. Jacob Bethell comes out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Another early exit for Buttler and Shaheen has removed both the English openers inside the first three overs. Afridi slams the deck hard, keeping the line of attack outside off. But it does not rise enough as Jos expects it to. He tries to square cut it to the off side, but gets an under edge due to lack of bounce as the ball carries behind to the keeper. Usman Khan pouches a safe catch, diving forward. England are rocked early at 17/2, chasing 165.

On a back of a length, on top of off, Jos Buttler nudges it off the inner half to deep square leg and they hustle back for the second.

Brook makes room on this length ball, on off, and runs it to widish deep backward point for a single.

At 126.4 kph, short and outside off, Brook stands tall and square cuts it to deep point for a single. A profitable over for England. 11 runs from it. They need 151 from 108 balls.

SIX! BANG! Mirza tries the slower ball, digs it into the pitch, on middle. Harry Brook receives the ball at a good height and nails the pull shot, sending it sailing over deep square leg for a 79-meter six.

BEATEN! A beauty from Salman Mirza! Slightly fuller and cutting away from the right-hander, skidding through. Brook plays from the crease to defend, but gets beaten past the outside edge.

This one nips back and dies on the bounce, around off, Harry Brook gets cramped up for room and gets a thick inside edge as the ball rolls toward covers off the pads.

Short and on off, Brook advances down the track, trying to smash it down the ground but inside edges it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Gets it through the gap! Mirza errs in line and length, on a good length, on leg, Harry Brook stays back and plays it with soft hands, nudging it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

Salman Mirza to share the attack.

A big appeal for caught behind, but only Shaheen is interested. The umpire does not entertain it. Hits the deck hard, angling away from off, Jos Buttler pokes at it without moving his feet. The ball nibbles away and beats the outside edge by a kitten's whisker. The UltraEdge later confirms a flat line when the ball is next to the bat. Regardless, a fine opening over from Afridi.

On the leg stump, short of a good length, at 139.3 kph, Harry Brook gets a bit squared up and taps it to the cover region for a quick run.

Brook shows his cards early as he charges down the track, probably eyeing to loft it over cover, but Shaheen is smart to push it wide outside off, on a hard length. Harry decides to let it go through alone.

England are up and running! On a back of a length, on middle and leg, swinging back in. Harry Brook nudges it off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Full and this one swings back in from off, Harry Brook flicks it on the bounce to mid on.

Dream start for Pakistan. A fine half-century in the last game, but nothing for Phil Salt in this one. Surprise, surprise! It is skipper Harry Brook who walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! EDGED AND CAUGHT! Benched for a couple of games, Shaheen provides a perfect start for Pakistan. He hits the hard length, around off, and gets the ball to angle away from the right-hander with a gentle outswing. Phil Salt stays put, tries to punch it away through the off side, but plays it away from the body, and gets a faint edge behind to the keeper. Usman Khan grabs a fine catch, diving to his right. England are 0/1 as Salt goes for a golden duck.

OUT! SHADAB KHAN IS RUN OUT! A low full toss on middle at 133.3 kph. Shadab stays deep in his crease and whips it towards deep mid-wicket, immediately calling for two and sprinting back. But Bethell moves swiftly to his left in the outfield, gathers cleanly and fires it in to the keeper, where Buttler collects the ball standing beside the stumps and dislodges the bails in time. Shadab is clearly out by a country mile, but he had to go for it. 10 from the final over. PAKISTAN FINISH AT 164/9!

FOUR! Such a lovely shot in the gap! Curran goes for the yorker, but misses by a yard or so, on middle. Shadab brings his bottom hand in play and whips it to the leg side, perfectly bisecting deep square leg and deep mid-wicket fielders for a boundary. With this, as per the on air commentators, Shadab Khan completes 1000 T20I runs.

Short and wide outside off with the pace taken off. Shadab hops and swings hard, but connects with thin air. The keeper fumbles as well, unable to collect it cleanly.

Spotting Shadab shuffle outside off, Curran darts it in at the stumps, cramping him for room as he attempts the flick. He gets a bottom edge that trickles towards mid on, and the pair hustle back for a second once more. There’s a throw at the bowling end from Overton as he shuttles in off the ropes, and had it hit, Mirza would have been in serious trouble again.

A yorker, from around the stump. Shadab Khan clips it to the vacant mid-wicket region and by the time the fielder from the deep runs in off the ropes, the batters hare back for the second run as well. Good running and awareness.

Tight single! A leg cutter, full and on middle, Salman Mirza pushes it in front of cover and sets off for a run. Brook is quick to get to the ball and throws it flat to the bowling end, but misses his shy, allowing Mirza to get in. But had the throw hit, Mirza was gone for all money.

Who bowls the last over? Will it be Sam Curran or Jamie Overton, or something out of the box like a Will Jacks? Harry Brook hands the ball to Curran. He has gone for 14 runs in his 2 overs so far.

FOUR! Gets it through nicely! A slower short ball, over middle. Shadab Khan backs away to create room and slaps it to the left of deep cover for a boundary to end Archer's spell. 4-0-32-2 for Jofra tonight.

At a searing pace of 146 kph, on a good length, on middle and leg. Salman Mirza stays leg side and punches it wide of cover for a single. 150 UP FOR PAKISTAN!

Tries the yorker on the stumps, Mirza flicks it to mid-wicket.

Into the tail now. Salman Mirza comes out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Archer continues to chip away at the wickets. He hurls in a slower length ball, on middle, slanting in. Shaheen Afridi is through the pull shot a fraction early and mistimes it in the air off the inner half towards deep backward square leg. Sam Curran is not the tallest of the fielders in the ground, and he times his leap to perfection to take the catch. He then shows good awareness to balance up to prevent himself from tripping over the ropes.

Pace off, on a good length, outside off, Shadab Khan backs away and slashes it to deep point for a run.

Slants it into the batter, full and on off, Shaheen Afridi drives it along the ground to long off for a single.

Jofra Archer (3-0-25-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

Dangles the carrot by firing it in, but slips in a full toss, on leg, Shaheen Afridi works it down to long on for a single. So no hat trick for Dawson, but he wraps his spell with impressive figures reading 4-0-24-3.

Who will face the hat-trick ball? It will be Shaheen Afridi.

OUT! LBW! Two in two for Liam Dawson. He fires in a yorker, on middle and leg, skids through. Mohammad Nawaz is not expecting that, sits deep inside his crease and tries to swipe it away. He fails to get his bat down in line with the ball quickly enough and gets hit on the front pad right in front of the stumps. There is a shout for LBW, and the finger goes up. However, Nawaz takes the review but more in hope. UltraEdge confirms no bat is involved and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds, with the ball hitting the middle and leg stumps. Dawson will be on a hat-trick now.

England keep chipping in with the wickets here. Mohammad Nawaz walks out to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! Wicket number 2 for Dawson. Tossed up, full and around off. Usman gets low, looking to drag it into the leg side with a slog sweep, but ends up playing against the turn. He miscues it towards deep mid-wicket, losing balance, shape and control in the process. Overton stays put and takes a simple catch above his shoulders. 122/3 becomes 146/6 for Pakistan.

Fired in flatter and wide outside off, with Dawson spotting the batter backing away. Usman creates room to go inside out but can’t quite reach the ball.

Right into the blockhole, a quick ball, on off, Shadab drills it down to long off for a single.

WIDE! Spins wide from the tramline, outside off. Wide called.

DROPPED, FOUR! The skipper, Brook, himself is the culprit now and Dawson can only watch helplessly. A bit too full, around off, Shadab Khan carves it flatly towards cover where Harry Brook tries to catch it over his head with a reverse cup, but the ball bursts through his hands and races to the fence behind.

Interesting call by Harry Brook. He had enough overs of pace, but he has decided to bring Liam Dawson back into the attack here.

SIX! Clean hit! Serves it right up in the slot, full in length, Usman Khan picks the length early, drops down on a knee and slogs it powerfully behind deep mid-wicket for a huge six. So a six to begin the over and a six to end, with a wicket in between. Adil Rashid ends his spell with figures of 4-0-31-1.

A touch full on the stumps, nudged off the back foot to mid-wicket.

At just 67.7 kph, teasingly slow through the air. A short leg break on a leg stump line, turning away. Usman rocks back and pulls it to the left of deep mid-wicket to get off the mark. A slight fumble in the deep allows the batters to come back for a second.

Pakistan lose half their side now. Usman Khan is the next man in.

OUT! HIGH UP AND GONE! Adil finally gets a wicket to his name as well and England are pulling things back nicely toward the backend. Rashid dishes out another wrong 'un, full and on middle, with some bounce too. Fakhar Zaman attempts the pre-meditated slog sweep, but gets a thick top edge. The ball spoons up and over backward square leg. Liam Dawson backtracks, keeps his eyes locked in on the ball and takes a fine catch as he takes a tumble after that. From 122/3, Pakistan slip down to 132/5.

The front-of-the-hand googly, flat and quick, outside off, Fakhar tries to run it behind but gets beaten on the outside edge.

SIX! That's been absolutely belted! Flights in a full ball, does Adil. It is the googly, outside off. Fakhar Zaman clears the front leg, gets under it nicely and golfs it over long on for a six.

Change? Yes, Adil Rashid (3-0-17-0) to bowl out now.

On a back of a length, on middle, Shadab stabs it down the pitch off the back foot.

FOUR! Intent! Full and on off, Shadab Khan jumps out of the crease, tries to loft it a bit straightish, over cover maybe, but slices it over backward point for a boundary.

End of a fine knock from Sahibzada Farhan. Shadab Khan replaces him ​​​​​​in the middle now.

OUT! LBW! Jamie Overton provides a breakthrough worth gold for England and he lets out a huge roar as well. Overton bluffs the batter by firing in a full ball, on middle, and it nips back in just a touch from the pitch. Sahibzada Farhan shuffles across off to flick it to the leg side, but ends up playing all around it. The ball beats the inside edge and raps on the front pad. A massive, confident appeal for LBW and up goes the finger instantly. Sahibzada Farhan is not so confident but takes a review in hope. This looks dead-straight and only an edge can save Farhan here. UltraEdge shows a flat line. Ball Tracking confirms three reds, with the ball crashing into middle and leg. Pakistan burn a review, but more importantly, they lose Sahibzada Farhan at a very crucial time. Pakistan are 122/4.

FOUR! Cracked away! Slower ball from Overton on this occasion, full and outside off. Farhan waits for it to arrive and spanks it past the cover and mid off gap for a boundary.

SIX! High and long enough! Jamie slams the deck hard, on top of off. Sahibzada Farhan stands tall and heaves it comfortably over the long on fielder for a six.

Nagging length, outside off, extra bounce. Sahibzada Farhan tries to club it down the ground with a flat bat, but misses.

Excellent over from Sam Curran. Goes boundary-less. Right. Final five coming up. Jamie Overton is back on. 2-0-12-1 so far.

Safe! A slower one, full and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan drills it hard down the pitch, where Curran gets a boot on it to deflect it to the right side. The batters decide to take the run. Curran quickly gets to the ball and hits the stumps at the bowler's end, but the smart replays confirm that Farhan has made his ground.

Bangs this into the pitch, around off, Sahibzada Farhan flat-bats it on the bounce to mid off.

Pace on, full and on middle, Fakhar Zaman drills it back to the bowler. Sam Curran fumbles on his follow-through and allows one.

Slower one, hard length and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan heaves it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

Back of a length and outside off, Fakhar Zaman backs away and slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.

Fuller and around off, Sahibzada Farhan eases it to long off for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. Recalibration time for England as the last three overs have gone for 34 runs. Sahibzada Farhan has single-handedly kept Pakistan afloat at a fair clip. And his presence till the end is paramount for Pakistan if they are to score anywhere in the 170-180 range. England, by their own standards, have let themselves down in the field. The ball has gripped, turned for the turners and the Pakistani spinners would be licking their lips if the surface remains the same throughout. England would try to dismiss Farhan to put the brakes on the runs as the momentum currently is with Pakistan. And for that, Brook summons Sam Curran into the attack. He is 1-0-9-0 so far, replacing Adil Rashid.

FIFTY FOR FARHAN! Another classy knock from him, and he continues to rack up the runs in this World Cup. This is short again and outisde off, Sahibzada Farhan punches it through extra cover for one.

Slower through the air, full and around off, Sahibzada Farhan tries to reach out but bunts it back to the bowler.

Short and outside off, Sahibzada Farhan slaps it wide of sweeper cover for a brace.

SIX! That is outta here! Flighted, full and on off, turns in. Sahibzada Farhan gets low and absolutely smashes it right from the middle of the bat, over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more. 100 METERS!

Floated, full and on leg, Fakhar Zaman clips it to short fine for a single.

SIX! Wonderful strike! Tossed up, full and on middle and off. Fakhar Zaman skips down the track, stays leg side of the ball and muscles it over the long on fence for a biggie.

FOUR! The extra ball has cost England! Flighted, full and around middle. Sahibzada Farhan goes down on one knee and nails the sweep shot in front of square on the leg side. The fielder puts in a dive to his left but fails to stop the boundary.

Shorter in length again and around off, Fakhar Zaman steers it towards point for one.

Almost dragged on! Another leggie, shortish and on off, grips and turns in. Fakhar Zaman fails to read it and tries to guide it off the back foot. Gets an inside edge onto his pads. Could have easily gone back onto the stumps.

Loops it up, full and on off, Fakhar Zaman goes down for the reverse sweep but has to wait for it and misses to get hit on the pads.

Slows it up again, full, this time it is the leg break which turns in. Fakhar Zaman stays back and pats it out on the pitch.

Gets away with it! A googly, tossed up, full and around off, turns away. Fakhar Zaman goes down for the slog sweep but misses.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single. Uh, oh! England did not have enough fielders inside the circle. A No Ball called. Free Hit to follow. But this is really sloppy from England by their own standards. Even the skipper, Brook, did not realise it, nor the bowler, nor the fielder himself.

Change of ends for Adil Rashid (2-0-10-0) as he replaces Jamie Overton.

Will Jacks almost bowls a bouncer here, on middle. Sahibzada Farhan pulls it away to deep square leg for just one.

Dragged back and outside off, Sahibzada Farhan cuts it hard but straight to point.

Slows it up, full and on middle, turns away. Fakhar Zaman looks to play at it but gets an outside edge along the ground towards point for one.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! It's Jacob Bethell once again. Short and outside off, Fakhar Zaman cuts it away through point. Jacob Bethell runs to his left but takes his eyes off the ball as he is about to pick it up. Lets it through and the ball rolls to the fence for a boundary.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Flatter, full but down the leg side. Fakhar Zaman just has to get some bat on it and he tickles it very fine to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Floated, full and around off, Sahibzada Farhan drills it to long off for a single.

Short of a length and around off, Fakhar Zaman dabs it down to point.

England continue to press on Pakistan, and Babar Azam succumbs to the pressure. 6.6 was the occasion on which Pakistan scored their last boundary. Fakhar Zaman is the next batter in at number 5.

OUT! BOWLED 'EM! The pressure was building on Babar Azam and he has to go back now after a scratchy knock. This is a cross-seam delivery on a good length and it jags back in on middle and off. Babar clears his front leg and has a wild hoick across the line. Not a good looking shot as he completely misses the ball as well, and it goes through and hits the top of off. The 46-run stand has been broken now. Pakistan are 73/3.

Back of a length and on middle, takes pace off. Sahibzada Farhan backs away to heave it across the line but gets an inside edge through backward square leg for another run.

Follows the batter, angling into the leg side, Babar Azam drills it to long on for a run.

Pitched up and around leg, Sahibzada Farhan looks to clip it away but toe-ends it down to long on for a single.

Fuller delivery, on middle, Sahibzada Farhan pushes it to short cover.

Pakistan are 70/2 at the halfway stage. The English spinners are putting the squeeze on and Babar Azam is not looking comfortable out there. Pace back on as Jamie Overton (1-0-9-0) replaces Liam Dawson.

Pitched fuller on leg, Farhan flicks it off the front foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slowish leg break, on off, Babar works it to deep cover for a single.

There's the googly at 79.6 kph, on a length, on middle and off. Babar Azam is rushed on the cut shot, but inside edges it onto the boot.

Offers more flight, at just 69.8 kph, full and wide outside off, Sahibzada Farhan gets down on his knee and drags it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full and slow at 79.6 kph, Babar spanks it over the bowler for a single as long on cuts it off to his left.

Conventional leg break, full and spins from leg to middle. Babar Azam leans on and smothers the spin.

Pitched fuller, on middle with some turn and bounce. Farhan presses in front and eases it back to the bowler.

Tossed up on middle, Babar flicks the full ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fires it on a length, on middle and leg, and it keeps sliding in with the arm, Babar Azam gets drawn forward to flick it across, but inside edges it onto the thigh pad.

Short ball, on middle, Babar pivots on the back foot and pulls it between long on and deep mid-wicket. Will Jacks from the former position sprints and dives to cut it off. Two taken.

Very full, on middle, Farhan flicks it wide of mid-wicket for another run.

At 87.8 kph, touch full and on off, Azam stays inside the crease, and dinks it through mid on for a single.

Darts in a quicker one, full and drifting on the leg stump, Sahibzada Farhan draws the front foot out to push it down the ground, but plays over the line and gets hit on the front pad.

Not that short, not that full either, stump-to-stump, Babar hangs back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Keeps slowing it through the air, on a length, on the leg stump, Babar Azam whips it off the back foot between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Shortish ball from Rashid, on middle, Farhan rocks back and pulls it along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

Dropped full, on leg with some grip on it. Babar Azam turns it through square leg for a single.

Slows it up, full and on the stumps, tapped off the back foot to the bowler.

WIDE! A bit of a loosener from Adil. Drags it short and down leg, Babar tries to whip that away, but misses. Buttler fails to gather it cleanly and the ball deflects off his left pad to short fine leg.

The match-up everyone was waiting for here. Adil Rashid has been introduced into the attack now. According to Ramiz Raza on air, he has dismissed Babar Azam 4 times in T20Is.

FOUR! A blistering hit! Curran goes full again, and outside off, Sahibzada Farhan plays through the line and smacks it gun-barrel straight down the ground, beating long off to his right for a boundary.

Full and on the stumps, Babar carves it past cover-point for a single.

On a back of a length, around off, Babar bunts it on the bounce to Curran.

The moon ball from Curran, full and on off, Sahibzada Farhan drills it down the ground to long on for a single. 50 UP FOR PAKISTAN!

Back of a length, outside off, punched on the rise to widish long off for a single.

BUZZERS! An inswinging delivery from around the stump. On a length in and around off, Babar dabs it to backward point. The fielder gets to the ball quickly and seeing Babar out of the crease for a moment, scores a direct hit at the batting end. But Babar is quick to plant the bat inside the crease before the stumps are hit. The ball then deflects through backward square leg and with no proper backup there, the batters cross for two runs.

DRINKS! Neither side will be too unhappy with how things went in the first six overs. Pakistan did lose two wickets, but their best batter in this World Cup, Sahibzada Farhan, is still out there and, along with Babar Azam, is trying to stitch up a partnership. England have bowled really well, with Jofra Archer hurrying the batters up, but it depends on how both teams fare in these middle overs that will give us a good idea where this game will tilt. Also, Sam Curran is to bowl after the break.

Pushed through, full and on leg, Farhan whips it off the front foot to mid-wicket. End of the Powerplay and Pakistan are 46/2.

Full and on middle, Farhan sweeps it to the deep square leg region. Jacob Bethell sprints across to his right from deep mid-wicket, dives and palms the ball back in to save two for his side. Excellent effort from Bethell.

A touch short, on off, punched wide of cover.

FOUR! Races away! Darts it in, full and on middle and leg. Sahibzada Farhan looks to flick by staying put, but gets a thickish inside edge and the ball rolls between short fine leg and square leg for a boundary. It teases Adil Rashid all the way before hugging the fence.

This one turns from off, on a fractionally fuller length. Sahibzada Farhan taps it to the off side.

Targets the stumps, on a length, on off, Sahibzada Farhan hangs back and tries to pierce the gap, but cuts it straight to the backward point fielder.

Liam Dawson to bowl the last over of the Powerplay.

FOUR MORE! Deft touch this time. Jofra Archer lands this back of a length and just around off. Babar Azam waits for the ball, uses the pace and steers it past short third for another boundary.

FOUR! Put away! This is on a hard length, on middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Babar Azam manages to get on top of the bounce, rolls his wrists and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good-length delivery, on middle, jags back in sharply. Babar Azam stays in his crease but gets squared up a bit. Gets an inside edge to the leg side. None of the Pakistani batters are looking comfortable against Archer here.

Jofra Archer bangs it into the surface, on middle and leg. Sahibzada Farhan, too gets hurried on to his pull shot. He flat-bats it to the left of mid on for a run.

Uppish but safe! Short of a length and on middle, Babar Azam tries to pull but gets hurried. He just chips it off the splice of the bat but wide of Archer, towards mid on. They cross.

Back of a length and on middle, takes pace off. Sahibzada Farhan rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Archer to continue? He surely will. 2-0-14-2 so far are his bowling figures.

Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Babar Azam defends it on the front foot. 6 runs and a wicket from Dawson's first over!

Fires this one full and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Flighted, full and on middle, Babar Azam knocks it wide of mid on for one.

Out goes the skipper, and in walks Babar Azam at number 4. Not been in the greatest of form lately and this is a huge opportunity for him to prove the critics wrong.

OUT! CAUGHT! Liam Dawson strikes in his first over. He slows it up, full and on off. Salman Agha uses his feet to go inside-out over covers, but the ball does not spin much. He ends up hitting it from the bottom half of the bat and much straighter towards long off. Jamie Overton runs forward and takes an excellent sliding catch inches above the ground. Pakistan are 27/2 now.

Flatter, full and around leg, Salman Agha swipes it away to short fine.

FOUR! Sloppy fielding! Floated, full and on middle, Salman Agha skips down the track and flicks it over mid-wicket. Jacob Bethell from deep square leg runs to his left, dives and tries to push it back inside, but he ends up deflecting it off his knee to the fence for a boundary.

First look at spin. Here's Liam Dawson into the attack, replacing Jamie Overton.

There is a good, uneven bounce on this track and Archer has bowled quite a hostile spell upfront.

FOUR! Superb effort in the deep but in vain! Another bouncer from Archer, on off. Sahibzada Farhan gets on top and pulls it aerially wide of deep square leg. It just holds up in the wind. Phil Salt runs a long way to his left, dives but just fails to reach it and the ball goes over the fence for a one-bounce four.

FOUR! Unlucky for the bowler! Jofra Archer hits the length hard at 146.1 kph, on off. Sahibzada Farhan has a wild hack across the line. Gets an inside edge that races past short fine for a boundary.

On a length and on off, Salman Agha looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards square leg for a single.

Excellent bowling! Jofra Archer continues with the shorter length, delivers it just outside off this time, shaping it away. Salman Agha tries to cut it away but gets beaten by the extra bounce. Jos Buttler takes it above his head.

Fiery! Short of a length and on middle, jags back in sharply. Salman Agha tries to sway away from the ball but has no time and takes a blow on his chest.

Another low score for Saim Ayub. He hasn't quite got going in this T20 World Cup, with a highest of 24. In walks the skipper of Pakistan, Salman Agha, at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Jofra Archer draws first blood. He bangs in a well-directed bouncer, on off, angling away off the pitch. Saim Ayub gets his front leg up in the air to play the pull shot but gets into an awkward position due to extra bounce. The ball gets big on him and takes the top edge of the bat. It flies in the air towards deep square leg, where Jacob Bethell runs forward off the ropes, gets down on one knee and takes a good catch. Archer brings out his 'C' celebration and Ayub's lean patch in the World Cup continues. Pakistan are 14/1 after 2.1 overs.

Pitched up and around off, Saim Ayub strides out and drills it square through point for one. There is a fumble by Bethell in the deep, but it does not cost anything.

WIDE! Errs in line and serves this full but down the leg side, Saim Ayub fails to glance it away. Wided.

Good-length delivery at 145.4 kph, on middle and leg, Saim Ayub gets hurried and pats it back to the bowler.

Fuller delivery, on the pads, Saim Ayub flicks it away through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle and leg, does not bounce that much. Sahibzada Farhan swivels and heaves it away towards deep square leg for a single.

Back of a length and around off, Sahibzada Farhan dabs it down to point.

FOUR! Gets greeted with a boundary! Jamie Overton begins with a short delivery, but well outside off. Sahibzada Farhan gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it over point, wide of the deep fielder for his first boundary.

So just 5 from the first over. Jamie Overton to operate from the opposite end.

FOUR! Streaky! Jofra Archer goes fuller this time, outside off once more. Saim Ayub flashes his blade hard at it. He slices it off the outer half of the bat over point for the first boundary of the game.

Oh, what was Saim Ayub trying to do here? Hits the length hard and just outside off, angling away again. Saim Ayub looks to give it a whip across the line, but his feet go nowhere and he fails to connect.

Jofra Archer lands this back of a length and around off, gets it to shape away from the left-hander. Saim Ayub watches it through and leaves it alone.

Pakistan and Sahibzada Farhan are underway! Short of a length and around off, takes pace off. Farhan rides the bounce and cuts it away to deep point for a single.

Play and a miss! Hard length and on the sixth stump line, nips back in at 142.2 kph. Sahibzada Farhan slashes at it but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Jofra Archer starts with a good-length delivery, on off. Sahibzada Farhan hops up and pats it in front of short cover. He wants the run but is sent back.

Right. Pak Sarzamin Shaad Baad and God Save The King are proudly sung/chanted. It is now time to get down to real business in Pallekele. The English players, led by Harry Brook, scatter across the park and take their respective fielding spots. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are the two Pakistani openers who walk out to the crease. Jofra Archer has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. A slip in place and Farhan will take the strike. Here we go!

The giant flags of both countries are unveiled in the middle. Always a wonderful sight, this. Now then, the match officials make their way to the middle. Out walk the players from both teams along with the mascots and get lined up for the national anthems. It will be Pakistan's first, followed by that of England's.

PITCH REPORT - Ramiz Raja begins by saying that it is a beautiful cricket ground, nestled by the hills around it. About the temperature, he notes that the weather is pleasant with a high of 26 and a low of 21 degrees Celsius, and a humidity of around 70 percentage. Shares that the square boundaries measure 67 meters and 66 meters respectively, with the straight hit being 78 meters. Former England captain Eoin Morgan joins in and observes that the surface appears like a typical Pallekele one, soft on the outside, but hard underneath. He mentions that England had previously played on a used pitch that assisted spin, but this wicket looks much firmer with a covering of grass. He expects it to play skiddy, bringing pace bowlers into the game, while still being a very good surface for batting.

The skipper of England - Harry Brook says that they would have batted first as well. Adds that it is a fresh wicket and hopes it gets better to bat later on. Mentions that they still haven't had a complete game but says it is just around the corner. Brook shares that they have seen some footage and prepared accordingly to face Usman Tariq, and not only him, the other Pakistani batters and bowlers as well. Admits that it would be nice to confirm a semi final spot with a win, but T20 is a frickle game and they need to play their best cricket here.

The captain of Pakistan - Salman Agha says it looks like a good pitch and adds that they will try to put up a good score and then try to defend it. On the conditions, he says wherever you go, he stresses that you got to adjust to the conditions and do it quickly in such tournaments. Agha shares that they came here two days ago and have pretty much played in the Sri Lankan conditions which remain pretty much the same so he says they know what they are going to get. Informs that they are going with one change with Faheem Ashraf missing out and Shaheen Afridi coming back in the XI. Details that they have a strong spin attack, but their fast bowling is just as good. And says if they need an extra spinner, he himself can execute that duty. Highlights that this is his first ICC tournament as captain, saying that he is enjoying the responsibility and looking forward to this game, and the challenges ahead.

England (Unchanged Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (C), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (In place of Faheem Ashraf), Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq.

TOSS - It's time for the coin-flip now. Harry Brook gives it a spin and Salman Agha calls it right. Pakistan elect to BAT first.

Good memories, bad memories - The last time England and Pakistan faced off in a T20 World Cup, it was on the grand stage of the MCG in the 2022 final, where England held their nerve in a tense, hard-fought contest to lift the trophy for the second time. That night in Melbourne still lingers in the memory, and as the two sides renew their rivalry in the 2026 Super 8s, there is added spice, history, redemption and another high-stakes chapter waiting to unfold. Toss and team news in a bit.

Inconsistency hurting Pakistan - Pakistan, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency. A washed-out Super 8 opener against New Zealand stalled their momentum, and the only Test-playing nation they faced, India, exposed clear weaknesses. Sahibzada Farhan has been excellent at the top, leading the run charts, but the drop after him is worrying. Salman Agha needs to take more responsibility, while Fakhar Zaman could be handed another opportunity to provide power up front. Saim Ayub has contributed with the ball if not heavily with the bat, and with spin likely to play a role, Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed will need to step up in a must-win encounter.

England keep finding ways to win - England have not quite hit top gear yet, but they continue to get the job done, and that is often the sign of a strong tournament side. Will Jacks has led from the front with impactful all-round displays, producing match-winning efforts in at least three games, including the last one against Sri Lanka. Phil Salt's return to form is a timely boost, though the lack of a significant contribution from Jos Buttler remains a concern for skipper Harry Brook. The move from India to Sri Lanka has brought their spinners more into play, Jofra Archer keeps striking regularly, and four straight wins at this venue only strengthen their belief.

Super 8 pressure cooker - Welcome to what promises to be a high-stakes Super 8 showdown as England take on Pakistan in Match 5 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The equation is simple and intense, a win for England will seal a semifinal spot, while Pakistan must win to keep their semifinal hopes firmly in their own hands. With the group tightening and every point now precious, this clash could heavily shape how the table looks at the end of the stage.

... MATCH DAY ...

Match intro - Surprised? At this point, that feels like the default emotion at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2026. This tournament has turned unpredictability into a pattern, and the Super 8 stage has only dialled up the intensity with one twist after another. Expect it to deepen further as England lock horns with Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. A win for either side here could tighten their grip on a semifinal spot, but nothing has come easy in this competition, and this will be another proper test. The journey so far - England are winning, but not quite convincing. They are yet to deliver a performance that feels complete, and that lingering gap has kept the spotlight on their consistency. The league stage was a bit of a balancing act, always on the edge, and the Super 8 opener followed a familiar pattern. Sri Lanka tested them at every step, forcing England to dig deep before they scraped through. Job done, yes. Statement made, not really. Pakistan, meanwhile, have had their rhythm interrupted. Their Super 8 clash against New Zealand in Colombo was washed out, with the rain playing spoilsport and denying them any game time. As a result, they have not taken the field since 18 February, which means they walk into this fixture after nearly a week without competitive action. Whether that break feels like a reset or rust could well shape how they begin in Pallekele. Bazball, but not blazing - Even without hitting top gear, England have a few positives to lean on. Phil Salt batted beyond the Powerplay for the first time and produced his best outing of the tournament, a brisk 62 against Sri Lanka that held the innings together. Whereas Jacob Bethell, with 146 runs is their leading run getter, while Will Jacks has proven to be quite a pivotal all round option down the order. He has played some really useful knocks for his team and has picked up important wickets as well - a 3/22 which broke the back of the Lankan batting unit. However, a deep dissection will prove that not everything has been gold for them. The major concern is Jos Buttler’s lean run with the bat. Averaging just 12 in this World Cup, he is in urgent need of runs, having registered three successive single-digit scores, a dip that has left England searching for stability at the top. Harry Brook, the skipper himself, is yet to truly get going. Apart from a lone fifty, his last four innings have yielded just 49 runs in total, with a string of starts in the teens that haven’t quite translated into anything substantial. Stuck in the second gear - While Sahibzada Farhan has been the standout batter for Pakistan, leading the run charts with 220 runs from four innings, the support around him has been very shoddy. Saim Ayub is yet to find his rhythm, and so is skipper Salman Agha, who has the range to both anchor and accelerate but hasn’t quite made his presence felt yet. And the age old problem of the middle order failing to keep up with the pace of the modern-day T20 demands has always been the thorn in their flesh. However, beyond that solitary surge at the top, there has been little in terms of substantial contributions. No other batter has gone past fifty in the tournament, and the spotlight inevitably turns to Babar Azam. A strike rate of 115.78 in this format feels below par, and Pakistan will need far greater fluency from him if they are to keep pace in a high stakes contest like this. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) -  ENGLAND - WWWLW | PAKISTAN - WLWWW. What to expect? Spin is set to call the shots in Pallekele, as is often the case across Sri Lankan venues. England got a first-hand taste of it in their clash against Sri Lanka, where five of their nine wickets fell to spin. That sets things up nicely for Pakistan. Expect them to lean heavily on their variety in spin, with Usman Tariq emerging as a key threat. Eight wickets at an average of 8.37 tells its own story, and he shapes up as a serious matchup against England’s batting unit. That said, England walk in with the comfort of familiarity. They swept a three-match T20I series at this venue earlier in the month and backed it up with a win over Sri Lanka in the Super Eight. Their own spin unit delivered in that game, accounting for seven of the ten wickets, led by the control and craft of Adil Rashid. With Jofra Archer also chipping in with wickets, England’s bowling attack looks balanced and well-suited to the conditions. A win here puts England in a very likely position to finish high on the table. For Pakistan, their case becomes stronger to get to the next stage if they manage to win here, given their previous match was a total washout. With both teams yet to play at their prime, expect a blockbuster clash at Pallekele.