Familiar foes get serious in ODI World Cup build-up

Familiar foes get serious in ODI World Cup build-up England take confidence from summer of 50-over progress; Pakistan buoyed by SL win The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 Pakistan’s Test tour of England in August and September ended in a 3-0 whitewash, with off-field controversies far outweighing on-field positives.

They’ve picked up some white-ball form since, with a T20I series win as well as victory in the tri-series opener against Sri Lanka (whom England also beat in five white-ball games out of six last month). For England, this is their fifth trip to Pakistan since 2022 (two Test tours, one for T20Is and the Champions Trophy). After a 17-year interregnum, Harry Brook and Co.

have been regular visitors – and not without success, even if the 2025 Champions Trophy was an unhpy start to Brendon McCullum’s tenure in charge of the white-ball side and led to Jos Buttler giving up the ctaincy. With less than a year until the 2027 ODI World Cup, the focus on the format has sharpened. Pakistan flunked the Champions Trophy, too, but have shown improved form under Shaheen Afridi’s ctaincy.

They have requested pitches with pace for this tri-series, in the words of Afridi, “so our fast bowlers and batters are ready for the conditions they are expected to come across in South Africa.” Nine wickets were duly shared among the four quicks as they opened with a solid win . England arrive in buoyant mood, having beaten Sri Lanka 2-1 at home to make it three series wins in a row, amid signs that they are finally progressing in ODIs . It was this time last year that they were shot out 3-0 on seaming pitches in New Zealand and Brook was fending off bouncers of a different kind ; it set the tone for a disastrous Ashes, but Brook has steadily mended his reputation since, while taking charge of an increasingly successful white-ball unit.

“I’ve learnt a lot as a ctain, I’ve learnt a lot as a person. I know it wasn’t an ideal situation to put myself in, but I feel like as a ctain and a leader I’ve learnt a lot,” he told the Press Association ahead of Tuesday’s game in Rawalpindi, adding that he wants to be “the man England fans and the team rely on”. If he can lead England to a first one-day success in Pakistan since 1987-88 (the tour which featured Mike Gatting vs Shakoor Rana) it will only bolster his status further.

Pakistan: WWLWL (Last five completed matches, most-recent first) England: WLWWW Salman Agha scored an 82-ball century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 18, 2026 Pakistan cricket can be a rollercoaster for all involved, but few have experienced the ups and downs of Salman Agha in recent months. Having deputised as Test ctain against England in the first Test at Headingley in August, he was dropped for the second and then sent home before the third (to which he responded by scoring a domestic triple-hundred). Further ignominy followed when he was stripped of the T20I ctaincy and omitted from the squad to play Sri Lanka – but he responded eloquently back in the side for his favourite format, hitting an 82-ball hundred to lay the platform for Sunday’s victory in Rawalpindi.

Jordan Cox has had a busy time of it recently, too, although mostly he has been on the up with England. Having impressed in the Test series against Pakistan batting at No. 3, he found himself parachuted into the ODI side for the final game against Sri Lanka, after Buttler suffered a hamstring injury while batting in Leeds.

With Buttler absent for this tour and the trip to Australia that follows, Cox has the chance to further burnish his credentials behind the stumps and cement his position as the next batter off the rank with the World Cup coming down the track. Pakistan gave Saad Baig a surprise debut behind the stumps in the tri-series opener, although he shone more with the bat than the gloves. They seem likely to stick with a winning XI.

Shadab Khan and Sofyan Moqim have been suffering from illness but remain with the squad. Pakistan: (possible) 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Saad Baig (wk), 5 Salman Agha, 6 Hasan Nawaz, 7 Arafat Minhas, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Shaheen Afridi (ct), 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Naseem Shah Adil Rashid is fit after missing the home ODI series against Sri Lanka last month, while Sam Curran also returns after a groin problem that has kept him off the field since August. Jofra Archer has been rested for this tour but England could stick with a predominantly pace attack if conditions dictate.

Liam Dawson and Mason Crane, uncped in ODIs and almost nine years on from his last England outing, offer further spin oons. England: (possible) 1 Tom Banton, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Joe Root, 4 Harry Brook (ct), 5 Jordan Cox (wk), 6 Will Jacks, 7 Sam Curran/Jamie Overton, 8 Gus Atkinson, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Josh Tongue, 11 Sonny Baker The decks in Pindi are expected to be on the quick side, as demonstrated by the first match where Sri Lanka were well placed in pursuit of 306, only for a lower-order collse to leave them short. With the likelihood of dew coming into effect during the evening for another day-night match, both teams may be keen to chase “In the last six to eight months we’re certainly trending in the right direction as a squad.

I think we’re really building towards the make-up of the side that we want.” Harry Brook Salman Agha scored an 82-ball century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 18, 2026 Chris Woakes believes England “have got most bases covered” as they start the run in towards next year’s ODI World Cup half-volley on the pads, clipped straight to Root at short midwicket! Looks like a dream start for England, although it’s being sent upstairs to make sure it’s carried. The fielder seemed in no doubt…

It went straight into his hands, six inches above the turf… did it burst through? Not convinced it did, and there’s no other angles…

or at least none to hand… A lot of fuss about not a lot there. England are on the board!

Gus Atkinson struck with the first ball of the innings, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 horrid hoist across the short ball! Saim was in no position to play that pull, the ball was short and sharp, tight to his body, and his weight was camped on the back foot as the ball spiralled high to deep backward square. It was a very droppable chance, but Curran judged it well.

England have both openers in the powerplay Sonny Baker roars at the fall of a wicket, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 clean through Babar’s defences! That’s been coming for Jacks, who has plied a tourniquet to Pakistan’s scoring. But it’s an unworthy exit from their kingpin.

Good line from the spinner, skidding on from back of a length, and rattling his off stump as Babar aimed a loose clip across the line. He was camped on the back foot, when he should probably have been forward Will Jacks celebrates the wicket of Babar Azam, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 He may have been struggling in the field but Atkinson nails this bouncer and provides a breakthrough. Baig swivels to pull Atkinson over the deep square leg fielder but mistimes his shot and hands a simple catch to Curran who collects it diving forward.

Excellent bowling change from Brook Holes out to deep fine leg! Goes for a sweep again but top-edges this flighted and slowish delivery on the full right under Atkinson’s throat. Excellent change of pace from the experienced leg-spinner.

Pakistan’s woes continue to compound. yorker, bowled him! Excellent change of plan from Overton, he’d set the batter up with a diet of short ones, then fired in the blockhole basher.

Nawaz was hours late on his defensive stab, as his stumps get rattled. A fine career-best innings, but it’s ended with the innings at a tipping point Jamie Overton nailed Hasan Nawaz with a yorker, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 Hasan Nawaz acknowledges his half-century, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 backs away to leg, skies his demise to cover! That’s the end of a very fine innings.

Minhas had to keep swinging with overs running out and with his score on a roll. But this time he got underneath his stroke, and Brook steadied himself well with the reverse-cup take short ball, holes out to deep midwicket! It was a bit of a floppy pull, Faheem couldn’t gauge the pace of the slower ball, which sat up in the pitch, and was rather wellied to the waiting Jacks.

Curran strikes after a difficult start to his comeback dumped into Overton’s bucket hands at long-on! Full length from Baker, Naseem’s bat twisted on impact, and the big unit wasn’t dropping that. Another useful strike for England, late in the innings Gus Atkinson struck with the first ball of the innings, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 half-volley on the pads, clipped straight to Root at short midwicket!

Looks like a dream start for England, although it’s being sent upstairs to make sure it’s carried. The fielder seemed in no doubt… It went straight into his hands, six inches above the turf…

did it burst through? Not convinced it did, and there’s no other angles… or at least none to hand…

A lot of fuss about not a lot there. England are on the board! He may have been struggling in the field but Atkinson nails this bouncer and provides a breakthrough.

Baig swivels to pull Atkinson over the deep square leg fielder but mistimes his shot and hands a simple catch to Curran who collects it diving forward. Excellent bowling change from Brook Sonny Baker roars at the fall of a wicket, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 horrid hoist across the short ball! Saim was in no position to play that pull, the ball was short and sharp, tight to his body, and his weight was camped on the back foot as the ball spiralled high to deep backward square.

It was a very droppable chance, but Curran judged it well. England have both openers in the powerplay backs away to leg, skies his demise to cover! That’s the end of a very fine innings.

Minhas had to keep swinging with overs running out and with his score on a roll. But this time he got underneath his stroke, and Brook steadied himself well with the reverse-cup take dumped into Overton’s bucket hands at long-on! Full length from Baker, Naseem’s bat twisted on impact, and the big unit wasn’t dropping that.

Another useful strike for England, late in the innings Will Jacks celebrates the wicket of Babar Azam, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 clean through Babar’s defences! That’s been coming for Jacks, who has plied a tourniquet to Pakistan’s scoring. But it’s an unworthy exit from their kingpin.

Good line from the spinner, skidding on from back of a length, and rattling his off stump as Babar aimed a loose clip across the line. He was camped on the back foot, when he should probably have been forward Hasan Nawaz acknowledges his half-century, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 Jamie Overton nailed Hasan Nawaz with a yorker, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 yorker, bowled him! Excellent change of plan from Overton, he’d set the batter up with a diet of short ones, then fired in the blockhole basher.

Nawaz was hours late on his defensive stab, as his stumps get rattled. A fine career-best innings, but it’s ended with the innings at a tipping point Holes out to deep fine leg! Goes for a sweep again but top-edges this flighted and slowish delivery on the full right under Atkinson’s throat.

Excellent change of pace from the experienced leg-spinner. Pakistan’s woes continue to compound. short ball, holes out to deep midwicket!

It was a bit of a floppy pull, Faheem couldn’t gauge the pace of the slower ball, which sat up in the pitch, and was rather wellied to the waiting Jacks. Curran strikes after a difficult start to his comeback half-volley on the pads, clipped straight to Root at short midwicket! Looks like a dream start for England, although it’s being sent upstairs to make sure it’s carried.

The fielder seemed in no doubt… It went straight into his hands, six inches above the turf… did it burst through?

Not convinced it did, and there’s no other angles… or at least none to hand… A lot of fuss about not a lot there.

England are on the board! Gus Atkinson struck with the first ball of the innings, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 horrid hoist across the short ball! Saim was in no position to play that pull, the ball was short and sharp, tight to his body, and his weight was camped on the back foot as the ball spiralled high to deep backward square.

It was a very droppable chance, but Curran judged it well. England have both openers in the powerplay Sonny Baker roars at the fall of a wicket, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 clean through Babar’s defences! That’s been coming for Jacks, who has plied a tourniquet to Pakistan’s scoring.

But it’s an unworthy exit from their kingpin. Good line from the spinner, skidding on from back of a length, and rattling his off stump as Babar aimed a loose clip across the line. He was camped on the back foot, when he should probably have been forward Will Jacks celebrates the wicket of Babar Azam, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 Holes out to deep fine leg!

Goes for a sweep again but top-edges this flighted and slowish delivery on the full right under Atkinson’s throat. Excellent change of pace from the experienced leg-spinner. Pakistan’s woes continue to compound.

He may have been struggling in the field but Atkinson nails this bouncer and provides a breakthrough. Baig swivels to pull Atkinson over the deep square leg fielder but mistimes his shot and hands a simple catch to Curran who collects it diving forward. Excellent bowling change from Brook yorker, bowled him!

Excellent change of plan from Overton, he’d set the batter up with a diet of short ones, then fired in the blockhole basher. Nawaz was hours late on his defensive stab, as his stumps get rattled. A fine career-best innings, but it’s ended with the innings at a tipping point Jamie Overton nailed Hasan Nawaz with a yorker, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 Hasan Nawaz acknowledges his half-century, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 backs away to leg, skies his demise to cover!

That’s the end of a very fine innings. Minhas had to keep swinging with overs running out and with his score on a roll. But this time he got underneath his stroke, and Brook steadied himself well with the reverse-cup take short ball, holes out to deep midwicket!

It was a bit of a floppy pull, Faheem couldn’t gauge the pace of the slower ball, which sat up in the pitch, and was rather wellied to the waiting Jacks. Curran strikes after a difficult start to his comeback dumped into Overton’s bucket hands at long-on! Full length from Baker, Naseem’s bat twisted on impact, and the big unit wasn’t dropping that.

Another useful strike for England, late in the innings gottim – smashed to midwicket! Minhas strikes third ball after his dashing half-century during the Pakistan innings. Banton can’t believe he has picked out Afridi in the ring with that shot.

Slightly short and he whirled his arms through a wallop across the line, but the fielder didn’t have to move – bar putting his hands up in front of his face Short ball does the trick! Bangs it into the deck and Duckett mistimes a pull to Fakhar Zaman at deep fine leg. Moves a couple of paces to his left to take a fairly simple catch right under his throat.

pace is pace, yaaar! Naseem skids one through Root! Pins him back in the crease with one at 138kph/86mph and it takes the toe end of the bat before breaking the wicket.

Maybe kept a touch low. Either way, off stump is pegged back, and Naseem is off and running wowzer! Minhas rips one through Brook!

Whether or not it’s getting dewy out there, this one has gripped and straightened perfectly . Full length, Brook maybe caught going back when he could be forward. Spins away down the line of off and rattles the timber.

Two in consecutive overs for Minhas, and Pakistan are suddenly up and about dug in and pulled… down the throat of deep backward square! The other set batter falls as Pakistan go bang-bang.

Not a convincing shot from Curran, just looking to swivel and paddle it away. Takes the top edge and sails high to the man on the fence, the sub fielder Ghazi Gouri, who makes no mistake Big shout for LBW and the umpire raises his finger! Beaten by flight.

Lands on length and goes with the arm. It penetrates through the g between the bat and pad to smash into his back thigh right in front of the stumps. Excellent change of pace res the reward.

Cox reviews this one, hoping for a miracle, but walks back to the pavilion after the technology upholds the on-field decision. Second five-fer for Arafar Minhas in only his fifth ODI. Drops it on length and it skids from there.

Jacks clears his front leg and rocks back to launch it over midwicket but mishits to short midwicket. Arafat has his arms aloft as he knows he has sealed this game for Pakistan. He has been spectacular with the bat and the ball.

Dumps this into the hands of long on! Tossed up on leg and Overton skips down the pitch to launch it over Hasan Nawaz but doesn’t get enough elevation and power behind the shot. Arafat Minhas is having an excellent game.

Arafat Minhas gets a pat on the head from his ctain, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 tad fuller on legs and it is flicked to midwicket. What is going on. There is a mix-up between Atkinson and Baker and both are at the non-striker’s end.

The throw from deep is to Arafat who fumbles initially but quickly collects the ball and takes a shy at the striker’s end. And that seals the win for Pakistan. And befittingly it is Arafat who delivers the final rites.

Arafat Minhas walked off with a six-wicket haul and a run-out, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 Easy decision for umpire Saikat there. Terrific stuff from Arafat as he lands the arm ball on length just outside the off stump and it smashes Rashid’s front leg right in front of the middle stump as he leans forward to defend. It is sent upstairs by Rashid.

But he ends up burning the last review as well. pace is pace, yaaar! Naseem skids one through Root!

Pins him back in the crease with one at 138kph/86mph and it takes the toe end of the bat before breaking the wicket. Maybe kept a touch low. Either way, off stump is pegged back, and Naseem is off and running Short ball does the trick!

Bangs it into the deck and Duckett mistimes a pull to Fakhar Zaman at deep fine leg. Moves a couple of paces to his left to take a fairly simple catch right under his throat. dug in and pulled…

down the throat of deep backward square! The other set batter falls as Pakistan go bang-bang. Not a convincing shot from Curran, just looking to swivel and paddle it away.

Takes the top edge and sails high to the man on the fence, the sub fielder Ghazi Gouri, who makes no mistake Arafat Minhas gets a pat on the head from his ctain, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 Arafat Minhas walked off with a six-wicket haul and a run-out, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 gottim – smashed to midwicket! Minhas strikes third ball after his dashing half-century during the Pakistan innings. Banton can’t believe he has picked out Afridi in the ring with that shot.

Slightly short and he whirled his arms through a wallop across the line, but the fielder didn’t have to move – bar putting his hands up in front of his face wowzer! Minhas rips one through Brook! Whether or not it’s getting dewy out there, this one has gripped and straightened perfectly .

Full length, Brook maybe caught going back when he could be forward. Spins away down the line of off and rattles the timber. Two in consecutive overs for Minhas, and Pakistan are suddenly up and about Big shout for LBW and the umpire raises his finger!

Beaten by flight. Lands on length and goes with the arm. It penetrates through the g between the bat and pad to smash into his back thigh right in front of the stumps.

Excellent change of pace res the reward. Cox reviews this one, hoping for a miracle, but walks back to the pavilion after the technology upholds the on-field decision. Dumps this into the hands of long on!

Tossed up on leg and Overton skips down the pitch to launch it over Hasan Nawaz but doesn’t get enough elevation and power behind the shot. Arafat Minhas is having an excellent game. Second five-fer for Arafar Minhas in only his fifth ODI.

Drops it on length and it skids from there. Jacks clears his front leg and rocks back to launch it over midwicket but mishits to short midwicket. Arafat has his arms aloft as he knows he has sealed this game for Pakistan.

He has been spectacular with the bat and the ball. Easy decision for umpire Saikat there. Terrific stuff from Arafat as he lands the arm ball on length just outside the off stump and it smashes Rashid’s front leg right in front of the middle stump as he leans forward to defend.

It is sent upstairs by Rashid. But he ends up burning the last review as well. Short ball does the trick!

Bangs it into the deck and Duckett mistimes a pull to Fakhar Zaman at deep fine leg. Moves a couple of paces to his left to take a fairly simple catch right under his throat. gottim – smashed to midwicket!

Minhas strikes third ball after his dashing half-century during the Pakistan innings. Banton can’t believe he has picked out Afridi in the ring with that shot. Slightly short and he whirled his arms through a wallop across the line, but the fielder didn’t have to move – bar putting his hands up in front of his face wowzer!

Minhas rips one through Brook! Whether or not it’s getting dewy out there, this one has gripped and straightened perfectly . Full length, Brook maybe caught going back when he could be forward.

Spins away down the line of off and rattles the timber. Two in consecutive overs for Minhas, and Pakistan are suddenly up and about pace is pace, yaaar! Naseem skids one through Root!

Pins him back in the crease with one at 138kph/86mph and it takes the toe end of the bat before breaking the wicket. Maybe kept a touch low. Either way, off stump is pegged back, and Naseem is off and running dug in and pulled…

down the throat of deep backward square! The other set batter falls as Pakistan go bang-bang. Not a convincing shot from Curran, just looking to swivel and paddle it away.

Takes the top edge and sails high to the man on the fence, the sub fielder Ghazi Gouri, who makes no mistake Big shout for LBW and the umpire raises his finger! Beaten by flight. Lands on length and goes with the arm.

It penetrates through the g between the bat and pad to smash into his back thigh right in front of the stumps. Excellent change of pace res the reward. Cox reviews this one, hoping for a miracle, but walks back to the pavilion after the technology upholds the on-field decision.

Dumps this into the hands of long on! Tossed up on leg and Overton skips down the pitch to launch it over Hasan Nawaz but doesn’t get enough elevation and power behind the shot. Arafat Minhas is having an excellent game.

Arafat Minhas gets a pat on the head from his ctain, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 Second five-fer for Arafar Minhas in only his fifth ODI. Drops it on length and it skids from there. Jacks clears his front leg and rocks back to launch it over midwicket but mishits to short midwicket.

Arafat has his arms aloft as he knows he has sealed this game for Pakistan. He has been spectacular with the bat and the ball. Easy decision for umpire Saikat there.

Terrific stuff from Arafat as he lands the arm ball on length just outside the off stump and it smashes Rashid’s front leg right in front of the middle stump as he leans forward to defend. It is sent upstairs by Rashid. But he ends up burning the last review as well.

tad fuller on legs and it is flicked to midwicket. What is going on. There is a mix-up between Atkinson and Baker and both are at the non-striker’s end.

The throw from deep is to Arafat who fumbles initially but quickly collects the ball and takes a shy at the striker’s end. And that seals the win for Pakistan. And befittingly it is Arafat who delivers the final rites.

Arafat Minhas walked off with a six-wicket haul and a run-out, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 His shift from recklessness to restraint offers Pakistan hope, as he learns to balance his explosive strokeplay with the patience needed to build an innings Hasan Nawaz acknowledges his half-century, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 Arafat Minhas celebrates the wicket of Jordan Cox, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 Arafat Minhas walked off with a six-wicket haul and a run-out, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 Adil Rashid peals for his first wicket of the series, England vs India, 3rd ODI, Lord’s, London, July 19, 2026 Salman Agha scored an 82-ball century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 18, 2026 Arafat Minhas walked off with a six-wicket haul and a run-out, Pakistan vs England, Tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 20, 2026 Salman Agha scored an 82-ball century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series, Rawalpindi, October 18, 2026 Chris Woakes believes England “have got most bases covered” as they start the run in towards next year’s ODI World Cup ODI Tri-Series (PAK) 2026/27, PAK vs ENG 2nd Match Match Preview – Familiar foes get serious in ODI World Cup build-up ODI Tri-Series (PAK) 2026/27 Pakistan vs England Match Preview: England take confidence from summer of 50-over progress; Pakistan buoyed by SL win