Pakistan retain playing XI as England opt to bowl in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: England won the toss and elected to bowl against Pakistan in the ODI tri-series match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, with captain Harry Brook citing the possibility of dew as a factor under the lights.

Pakistan, who began their campaign with a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka, have retained the same playing XI for their second match of the three-team tournament.

England have included leg-spinner Adil Rashid in their line-up, replacing Liam Dawson, while Sam Curran also returns to the side.

Pakistan and England meet for an ODI on Pakistani soil for the first time in 21 years! 🏏🇵🇰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

@markbutcher72 and @ZAbbasOfficial preview the Rawalpindi clash, discussing the teams’ form and what to expect in Game 2 of the ODI Tri-Series 🗣️

#PAKvENG | #CricketKaJashan | #BackTheBoysInGreen

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2026

“We feel like dew might play a factor tonight,” Brook said after winning the toss, adding that England needed to be ready from the first ball.

Brook said the depth of England’s white-ball cricket gave the team confidence heading into the match.

Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said his team would focus on bowling in the right areas and building partnerships with the ball.

🇵🇰 No change in playing XI 🏏

#PAKvENG | #CricketKaJashan | #BackTheBoysInGreen https://t.co/yxYmFiZgvz

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2026

“We played 50-60% in our batting, but that game [against Sri Lanka] will give us confidence,” Shaheen said, referring to Pakistan’s opening victory.

He also expressed confidence in Pakistan’s experienced players, saying they were finding their best form at the right time. Shaheen added that Salman Ali Agha’s century against Sri Lanka would boost the batter’s confidence.

Pakistan seek another strong performance

Pakistan opened their tri-series campaign with a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka on Sunday after posting 305 in 49.5 overs and bowling out the visitors for 268 in 48.1 overs.

🚨 TOSS ALERT 🚨

England win the toss and opt to field first 🏏

#PAKvENG | #CricketKaJashan | #BackTheBoysInGreen https://t.co/z07B09FepQ

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2026

Salman was the standout performer with the bat, scoring 107 off 90 balls, including 10 fours and a six. Babar Azam contributed 45, while debutant Saad Baig scored 39.

Captain Shaheen led the bowling effort against Sri Lanka, taking three wickets for 55 runs in 10 overs. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets each.

The victory gave Pakistan an early boost in the tournament, which also features England and Sri Lanka.

Dew could influence conditions

The pitch at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium appeared hard and compact, in line with Pakistan’s preference for quicker surfaces to help the team prepare for the conditions expected at next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

The surface was last used during the T20I series against Sri Lanka, when the visitors chased down a target of 168.

Dew could influence the match as the evening progresses, potentially affecting the grip and movement of the ball. The conditions may also influence how the teams approach their bowling strategies in the two innings.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (captain), Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.

England: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jordan Cox (wicketkeeper), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker.

The tri-series will continue in Rawalpindi before moving to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The final is scheduled for October 31, with the top two teams qualifying from the initial stage.