England is set to face Pakistan in their second Super Eights match in Pallekele, having taken an early lead in Group 2 following a decisive victory over Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Pakistan is looking to secure crucial points after a washout against New Zealand, as they seek to enhance their semifinal prospects. The standings are still in their infancy, but the urgency is already palpable, especially for Pakistan, who must avoid further setbacks.
Historically, England has had the upper hand against Pakistan in T20 internationals, leading their head-to-head record 21-9 and winning all three previous World Cup encounters, including the 2022 final. Adaptability will be key in Pallekele, where the pitch tends to favor spin. England holds a slight advantage, having already played here against Sri Lanka while this will be Pakistan’s first match at the venue in this competition.
However, England’s top-order batting remains a concern, with their openers having the lowest aggregate runs among all teams in the Super Eights. Despite Phil Salt’s impressive 62-run innings against Sri Lanka, the openers have only managed one 50-plus partnership across ten innings, struggling to survive beyond the fourth over together. Given Pakistan’s ability to apply early pressure, this vulnerability could be critical.
In contrast, England’s performance against spin has been shaky; they have lost 21 wickets to spin, the highest in the tournament, with an average of less than 23 against slower bowlers. Both teams have relied on spin at various points, making the contest a test of which batting side can handle spin more effectively.
Pakistan, on their part, will aim to capitalize on the form of Sahibzada Farhan, who has been prolific with the bat this year, notching five centuries since the start of 2025. However, Pakistan’s batting lineup has struggled, with all batters averaging below 30 in the tournament and none achieving a fifty-plus score. This puts additional pressure on Farhan to deliver strong starts, especially against an effective England bowling attack that limited Sri Lanka to just 146 runs.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 PM local time at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The pitch has shown signs of being sticky due to previous rain, which could affect run-scoring. However, with no rain in the forecast, the surface should settle over time, potentially providing better batting conditions than previous matches while still heavily favoring spin bowlers.
England is likely to field an unchanged side, although it remains uncertain if Jacob Bethell can bowl due to a prior injury. Pakistan has made tactical adjustments, bringing back experienced player Fakhar Zaman for this crucial fixture against England, although there are questions regarding Babar Azam’s batting position, with considerations about his role should early wickets fall.
As the match approaches, both teams are keen to establish their footing in the tournament, understanding the implications of their performance in this vital matchup. Key players on both sides will undoubtedly influence the outcome as they vie for a place in the semifinals.