T20 World Cup: England v Pakistan – Preview, where to watch, team news and prediction

Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan says facing England quick Jofra Archer “will not be difficult” tomorrow and has backed his side’s spinners to make the difference.

The teams clash in the Super Eight at the T20 World Cup with England needing a win to make the semi-finals with a game to spare and Pakistan looking to claim a much-needed victory after their clash with New Zealand was rained off.

Archer will lead the England attack in Kandy even though his express pace is not suited to Sri Lankan conditions.

And Farhan insists he is not concerned by taking on a bowler who regularly tops 90 miles per hour.

“Facing Archer will not be difficult because I have faced similar bowlers in Pakistan,” said Farhan, who hit an unbeaten ton as Pakistan beat Namibia in their final group-stage game. “So if he has plans against me, I also have plans against him.”

The 29-year-old believes the game will come down to who produces the better spin on what is likely to be a slow, turning track at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

England struggled against Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy attack yesterday before Archer’s two for 20 and three for 22 from Will Jacks saw the tournament co-hosts skittled out for just 95 as Harry Brook’s side clinched a 51-run triumph.

“What we saw in the Sri Lanka-England game was that the ball was gripping and England struggled against spin,” added Farhan.

“Sri Lanka have one or two spinners but we have five in all so we will give England a tough time on a pitch that looks good and will grip.

“We are confident and our morale is high. We are focused on this match to win and progress.”

Jacks opened the bowling for England against Sri Lanka and may well perform a similar job on the same ground.

“I love getting the responsibility with the ball,” he said. “It encourages me to get into the game and perform better. [Opening the bowling] is not foreign for me. And with a surface like that, I come in knowing what to do.”

Team News for England v Pakistan

Pakistan will bolster their spin attack with the likely inclusion of Abrar Ahmed at the expense of seamer Faheem Ashraf.

England have largely gone with the same players throughout the tournament and could name an unchanged team for the fifth successive game.

Predicted teams for England v Pakistan

England: 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: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

Where to watch England v Pakistan

England versus Pakistan starts at 1.30pm tomorrow. The T20 World Cup will be shown exclusively live in the UK on Sky Sports. You can stream it on the Sky Go app. 

For coverage elsewhere in the world, click HERE for details of your local rights holder.

Prediction for England v Pakistan

England have yet to look truly convincing at this tournament, although facing spin has not been one of the major issues.

Pakistan can beat anyone and can lose to anyone.

We think this will be tight but fancy Pakistan to edge it.