England’s four-game T20 series with Pakistan has been something of a damp squib, with only one match completed as the two teams travel to The Oval for Thursday’s final game.
Jos Buttler’s side won the Edgbaston clash after bowling their opponents for 160 as they chased the hosts’ total of 183/7.
The series is now set up for a thrilling finale as the two teams play their final game before the T20 World Cup begins next week.
England v Pakistan fourth T20 Tips
- Jos Buttler top England runscorer @ 11/5
- Shaheen Afridi top Pakistan wicket-taker @ 12/5
- Sam Curran top England wicket-taker @ 6/1
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Buttler to pick up where he left off
England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, had been struggling for form recently; he failed to make a major impression with the bat in their 50-over World Cup campaign and needed a spark to get him going.
That came in the first game between these two teams, where he made 84 off 51 balls, his best international total since an ODI century against South Africa in February last year.
In total, he averages 47.95 with a strike rate of 151.98 as England’s opener and looks to have rediscovered his scoring touch.
After missing the Cardiff washout to be with his wife during the birth of their third child, Buttler should be ready to lead the way and be England’s top scorer in this clash.
Afridi key for visitors
Shaheen Afridi is key to Pakistan’s success in this short-format game and showed his class in the only completed game at Edgbaston, recording figures of 3/36, the best of any of the visiting bowling attack.
The youngster took 18 wickets in nine matches at last year’s 50-over World Cup and was a key part of the Pakistan side that reached the final of the T20 World Cup two years ago, where they were beaten by these opponents.
Take him to be the top Pakistan bowler again here.
Curran may enjoy home comforts
Sam Curran took home Player of the Tournament honours at the T20 World Cup two years ago and despite an up-and-down career since then, he is still a crucial part of this England squad.
The left-armer took 13 wickets at an average of 11.4 and an economy rate of 6.5 in the last edition of the tournament, which provides something that nobody else in the bowling attack can replicate.
On his home ground of The Oval, Curran looks likely to feature as England weigh up their options before departing for the World Cup.
In conditions he is set to love, Curran looks overpriced to be the home team’s top bowler.
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