The first of three T20 internationals between England and Pakistan takes place at Old Trafford, Manchester on Friday and we take a look at the squads, recent form and the all important betting.
This behind closed doors 3 match series will be staged entirely at Old Trafford with the second T20 taking place on Sunday and the third match on Tuesday of next week.
England have just completed a test match series win over Pakistan thanks to a 3 wicket victory in the first test which was staged at this ground but the personnel on view for the T20's is very different. Let's take a look at the squads.
England: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy (injured) and David Willey.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz
Recent T20 Form
England's only T20 action this year came in South Africa in February. They won the series opener but lost the next 2 to go down 2-1. In November 2019 they drew 2-2 in New Zealand.
Pakistan's most recent action in the shortest format came at home to Bangladesh in January 2020 and they won the series 2-0. In November 2019 Pakistan were beaten 2-0 in Australia.
Recent Head to Head
The most recent meeting between the sides came in May last year, a one off game was staged in Cardiff and England won it by 7 wickets. Pakistan posted 173/6 (Babar Azam 65, Jordan 5/41) and England got home with 4 balls to spare with Morgan top scoring, 57 not out.
Overall the teams have met 15 times. England have won 10, Pakistan 4 and we have seen 1 tie.
Old Trafford Manchester
Of 7 T20's staged at Old Trafford England have won 3, lost 2 and we have seen 2 no results.
The weather forecast is always worth keeping an eye on
The Betting, 1st T20 Match Result
England 0.67
Pakistan 12/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict:
England look the stronger side on paper and I'll go with the Skipper Eoin Morgan, who has form at this venue to top score for the hosts.
Additional interest comes in the shape of Chris Jordan to be top England bowler, mainly on the back of his 5 wicket haul last time these sides met.
Bets: Top England Bat Morgan 9/2
Top England Bowler Jordan 33/10
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