T20 Cricket World Cup England v Pakistan Tips: Pakistan to expose English batting frailties

• England batters vulnerable to spin
• Keep close eye on Pallekele pitch report
• Buttler's form a concern
• Used pitch will help Pakistan
• Archer and Nawaz can deliver
• For Betfair's latest cricket betting odds click here

England v Pakistan
Tuesday 24 February, 09.30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

England v Pakistan T20WC team news

England's issues are about form rather than fitness. Just as they were before Sri Lanka. There have to be significant concerns now about Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell at the business end of the tournament. Both desperately need a score of note. 

Buttler, of course, has enough in the bank to keep hold of his place but Ben Duckett may be under serious consideration for Bethell. The good news is that, so far, they have not suffered a calamity despite poor batting. Will Jacks is having an outstanding tournament with a strike rate of 195. They are settled with the ball and the unit, to a man, is producing. 

Probable England XI: Salt, Buttler, Bethell, Banton, Brook, S Curran, Jacks, Overton, Dawson, Archer, Rashid

Pakistan were denied the chance to get a Super Eight win against New Zealand due to a washout. The break may have focused their collective mind to attack with spin. 

It would not be a surprise to see Abrar Ahmed recalled to the XI, either at the expense of Faheem Ashraf or Salman Mirza. Mirza kept Shaheen Afridi out of the side for their last encounter against Namibia. If Abrar plays that would give them a possible 16 overs of frontline spin with Saim Ayub also able to be deployed.

Possible Pakistan XI: Farhan, Ayub, Salman, Babar, nafay, Shadab, Nawaz, Mirza, Abrar, Tariq

England v Pakistan T20WC pitch report

The Pallekele strip for England's comfortable win over Sri Lanka looked like a tired, used surface. England's total of 146 proved to be more than enough. But it could also have been to the poor weather conditions. Finding winners for the rest of this tournament may well rest getting a handle on what is, and isn't, a used pitch. So we have to wait until the match report to get a steer. It is absolutely vital.

As ever, the rule is simple. Unders on a used pitch for Pallekele, overs if not. Sportsbook's total runs line for England at 171.5 looks potentially very high. There is currently no rain forecast.

England v Pakistan T20WC match prediction

England are 1.705/7 favourites with Pakistan 2.407/5 on the Betfair Exchange. It is hard not to consider these two sides are more closely matched due to the possibility that the wicket is slow and low, which brings Pakistan's army of spinners into the game.

So far, England have been more unpredictable than Pakistan and yet a win here would put them in the semis. Their batting has looked timid and their bowling tigerish. The formbook suggested the opposite would have been more likely. 

Pakistan got their stinker out of their way against Netherlands, were totally outlcassed by India but seem to be in a good spot having roared back against Nambiia. If there is grip for spin they will expect to outwit England. We will have a small interest in them in the anticipation that this doesn't seem the pitch or the attack where it suddenly clicks for a batting unit low on confidence.

England v Pakistan T20WC player tips

Phil Salt delivered right on time for us last time as the win-rate rationale again paid off. That doesn't mean we jump on the overdue Jos Buttler, though, who is now too short in the betting. Still, our focus is on the performance markets (1pt per run, 10 per catch and 20 per wicket). Mohammad Nawaz and Jofra Archer for Pakistan and England respectively look very cheap buys at 20.5 and 21.5. They each pay 5/61.84. Nawaz should be bang in the mix for a wicket and useful runs. Archer has looked lethal with the new ball and may even get a hit. 

Now read Ed's Ultimate Guide to the T20 World Cup