ENG vs PAK T20I WC Match 45th Preview: Super 8 Showdown at Pallekele

ENG vs PAK T20I WC Match 45th Preview: Super 8 Showdown at Pallekele: The 45th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will see the England (ENG) Cricket Team face the Pakistan (PAK) Men’s Cricket Team. This contest is a very crucial Super 8 Group 2 contest on Tuesday, February 24. The match will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, and the match will start at 7:00 PM IST. The semi-final qualification is on the line, and this ENG vs PAK will decide the fortune of Group 2.

Team Form and Head-to-Head Record

Pakistan came into this match after winning three of their four group games. However, their Super 8 opener against New Zealand was abandoned due to rain. England also registered three wins and one loss in the group stage, but as they opened their Super 8 campaign with a solid victory over Sri Lanka, England are in a much better position.

Historically, England held a clear advantage. The two sides have met 31 times in T20 internationals. In these outings, England has won 20 matches and Pakistan nine. One game ended in a tie, and one had no result. At the T20 World Cup level, England have beaten Pakistan in all three previous encounters.

Match Context and Key Battles

England will be eager for Jos Buttler to rediscover his touch because the superstar has had a very difficult tournament so far. Their biggest batting threats remain Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell, and England would want captain Harry Brook to anchor the middle order.

On the other hand, Pakistan cannot afford a slip-up. The top order has relied heavily on Sahibzada Farhan, and the team will want much-needed support from Babar Azam.

Probable Playing XI – Pakistan

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq.

Probable Playing XI – England

Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid.

Pitch Report and Conditions

Pallekele generally offers good bounce and carry early in the innings. This would help aggressive stroke play during the power play. As the match progresses, the surface tends to slow down, and it will bring spinners and change-of-pace bowlers into play. Average first-innings scores at this venue usually range between 162 and 172.

Match Prediction

All things considered, England start the ENG vs PAK 45th match as slight favourites. England are favoured by their deeper batting resources and superior head-to-head record, but Pakistan’s in-form top order can still pose a serious challenge.