England vs Pakistan men, T20 series 2024:All you need to know

The matches are spread across several iconic English venues, including Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, and Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

What is the schedule?

May 22: First T20I – Headingley, Leeds (6.30pm BST/ 10.30pm PKT)

May 25: Second T20I – Edgbaston, Birmingham (2:30pm BST/ 6:30pm PKT)

May 28: Third T20I – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (6.30pm BST/ 10.30pm PKT)

May 30: Fourth T20I – Kia Oval, London (6.30pm BST/ 10.30pm PKT)

Who is in form?

England and Pakistan will put the final touches on their t20 World Cup preparations with a four-match series spread across 10 days ahead of the tournament in the Caribbean and the United States.

For Jos Buttler’s side, who will be the defending champions in June, it is a chance to reassemble after a truncated build-up for the squad.

Some, such as Will Jacks and Phil Salt, have been entertaining at the IPL; others like Ben Duckett and Harry Brook have been in County Championship cricket; while Jofra Archer has been nursing his way back to full fitness after a year out with an elbow problem.

Indeed, there is perhaps no individual who garners as much focus as Archer across this series. How he comes through his first competitive cricket in over a year, not least shapes up ahead of the World Cup will be intriguing.

The hosts could do without any further fitness concerns with Mark Wood and Liam Livingstone unavailable for the start of the series.

Pakistan are testing a new leadership group with Gary Kirsten having joined the squad as the new white-ball head coach. They too have concerns about their bowling attack with Haris Rauf having not played since the Pakistan Super League.

But Hassan Ali is back in the fold after cutting short his stint at Warwickshire

They arrive in the UK off the back of a series draw at home to New Zealand and a narrow 2-1 success over Ireland, who they are scheduled to meet in Florida on June 16.

Who is involved?

Pakistan are waiting until after the first T20 to name their World Cup squad and must essentially trim three from the group selected for the UK and Ireland tour.

England are road-testing their tournament squad but start the series without Livingstone and Wood. Archer is confirmed to play the first T20I but his fitness will be monitored throughout. Captain Buttler has confirmed he will leave the camp to attend the birth of his third child which is due imminently.

England squad: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan

What is the weather forecast?

There could be a delay to the start of the series in Leeds with the forecast indicating rain throughout Wednesday afternoon and into the evening.

Conditions should be much improved for the second T20 when sunshine is anticipated and temperatures are expected to hit 20 degrees Celcius.

Similarly, balmy conditions are likely for the third match in Cardiff, with temperatures again set to be in the early 20s.

Though it is expected to turn wet next week, the weather should hold for the fourth T20I at the Kia Oval on May 30.

What are the odds?

England will start the first T20 as favourites at 8/15 with the bookmakers, with Pakistan available at a much wider 9/5.

Where to watch?

Sky Sports, the traditional broadcaster during the English international summer, will show the entire series live via Sky Sports Cricket. Fans can stream the matches via Sky Go.

BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra will have ball-by-ball commentary of the entire series, accessible from the BBC Sport website and BBC Sounds.

Followers based in Pakistan can tune in via A Sports, or stream coverage using Tapmad.

Sony Sports Network will provide the pictures in India, with Sony Liv and Fancode steaming the series.

As ever, Supersport will show the matches for viewers in South Africa while Sky Sport have the rights in New Zealand.

Caribbean enthusiasts can follow the action on Flow Sports.-

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