England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan in the One-Day International (ODI) tri-series match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, citing the expected impact of dew on the pitch during the second innings.
Pakistan vs England ODI Begins in Rawalpindi
The Pakistan vs England ODI fixture presents an important opportunity for both sides to strengthen their position in the tri-series as they compete for a place in the final scheduled for October 31.
Pakistan entered the match after securing a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka in their opening fixture. The win gave the hosts an encouraging start to the competition, and they aimed to maintain their momentum against England with an unchanged playing XI.
🇵🇰 No change in playing XI 🏏
#PAKvENG | #CricketKaJashan | #BackTheBoysInGreen https://t.co/yxYmFiZgvz
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2026
Brook explained that dew influenced his decision to field first. He hoped England’s bowlers could restrict Pakistan to a manageable total before the visitors attempted to chase the target under potentially easier batting conditions.
Pakistan faced a similar challenge against Sri Lanka, when heavy dew affected bowling conditions during the second innings. Despite the difficulty, Pakistan held their nerve as Sri Lanka suffered a late batting collapse, allowing the hosts to secure victory.
Salman Ali Agha Leads Pakistan’s Batting Charge
Pakistan’s batting performance against Sri Lanka offered several encouraging signs ahead of the England encounter, with Salman Ali Agha continuing his impressive run in ODI cricket.
Salman played a major role in Pakistan’s first-innings total of 305 runs against Sri Lanka. His consistent performances have strengthened Pakistan’s middle order and provided the team with an important source of runs.
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam also showed signs of returning to form, building a 74-run partnership with debutant wicketkeeper Saad Baig. The stand helped Pakistan recover after an early setback and added stability to the innings.
Saad’s contribution was another positive development for the hosts, as the debutant demonstrated his ability to build a partnership alongside an experienced batter.
However, Pakistan’s opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub departed early against Sri Lanka. Their starts will remain an area of attention as Pakistan look to establish a stronger foundation against England.
A solid opening partnership could help Pakistan build another competitive total and put pressure on England’s bowling attack.
England Look to Exploit Bowling Conditions
England will look to make the most of their decision to bowl first, particularly if dew affects Pakistan’s ability to defend the total later in the match.
The visitors selected a balanced lineup featuring experienced batters Joe Root and Ben Duckett, alongside captain Harry Brook. Tom Banton and Jordan Cox also provide batting options, while Sam Curran and Will Jacks add all-round depth.
England’s bowling attack includes Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Sonny Baker and Sam Curran. The visitors will aim to take early wickets and prevent Pakistan’s middle order from building a substantial partnership.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead a bowling attack featuring Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. Their performance could prove crucial if England begin the chase strongly.
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Pakistan and England Playing XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Haris Rauf and 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 and Sonny Baker.
October 31 Final Remains the Target
The Pakistan vs England ODI is an important contest in the tri-series, with Pakistan aiming to build on their opening victory and England seeking a strong start to their campaign.
Pakistan’s batting depth, Salman’s recent form and the performance of the opening pair will be key factors for the hosts. England, meanwhile, will depend on early breakthroughs and an effective chase to take control of the match.
With dew expected to influence conditions, the toss could play a significant role in shaping the contest. Both teams will look to make the most of their opportunities as the competition moves towards the October 31 final.
