England came back with a bang in the ODI series against Pakistan, who had defeated the Three Lions in the Test series and the first ODI. England played some quality cricket to win the last three ODI matches to clinch the four-match 50 over format series in the UAE.
Now, the focus turns to the most exciting and entertaining format -- T20 -- with the first match of the three-match T20 series scheduled in Dubai on Thursday. The first two T20s are set to be played in Dubai and the third T20 has been scheduled in SHarjah.
The competition in the T20 series is expected to be of utmost quality with the form they have shown of late in this format.
Pakistan have won the last two series against Zimbabwe and more importantly Sri Lanka as well. With such results, Pakistan come into the series with full confidence as they will be keen to showcase their class and take revenge for their ODI series loss.
England, likewise, have also been in the best of form in the T20 format as they will be confident to topple over Pakistan in the T20 series as well after having defeated Australia and New Zealand in their last two T20 matches.
Though Pakistan will be a confident unit, the England team could have a slight edge over the hosts after their terrific win over the men in green in the ODI series. Some big performers from the ODI series, which includes, Chris Woakes, Reece Topley, Alex Hales under the leadership of Eoin Morgan, will be eager to perform once again in the T20 series.
Pakistan also have some big players in their squad, but their T20 skipper, Shahid Afridi, will want their players to come up with an improved performance from their last ODI series, where they looked below par.
Expect Afridi to fire up his team ahead of the first T20 in Dubai. Players such as Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Ukmal, who have experience in their side, needs to deliver and help Pakistan clinch the T20 series.
Pakistan T20 squad: Shahid Afridi (c), Sarfraz Ahmad, Ahmad Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Mohammad Rizwan, Anwar Ali, Imran Khan, Amir Yamin, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Imad Wasim, Rift Ullah Mohmand and Sohail Tanveer
England T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali , Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Stephen Parry, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Reece Topley, James Vince, David Willey, Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett
Pakistan vs England T20 series schedule
Pakistan vs England 1st T20
Date – 26 November
Time – 8pm local time (9:30pm IST, 4pm GMT, 9pm PKT)
Venue – Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Pakistan vs England 2nd T20
Date – 27 November
Time – 8pm local time (9:30pm IST, 4pm GMT, 9pm PKT)
Venue – Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Pakistan vs England 3rd T20
Date – 30 November
Time – 8pm local time (9:30pm IST, 4pm GMT, 9pm PKT)
Venue – Sharjah Cricket Stadium
TV listings: PTV (Pakistan), Ten Cricket (India), Sky Sports (the UK) and Willow TV (the US)
