Pakistan is gearing up for its vital ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights match against England in Pallekele Kandy. Following England’s struggles against Sri Lankan spinners in their last game, Pakistan feels they can exploit similar weaknesses in Jos Buttler’s team.
England managed to score 146 runs while losing 9 wickets, largely due to the turning pitch controlled by Sri Lankan bowlers. Pakistan’s opening batsman, Sahibzada Farhan, believes the current conditions will once again favor spin bowlers.
Farhan said:
“In the Sri Lanka-England match, the ball was gripping, and England had a hard time with spin. Sri Lanka has a couple of spinners, but we have five, so we can make things tough for England on this pitch.”
With their first match against New Zealand canceled due to rain, Pakistan faces pressure to win against England to keep their semi-final hopes alive, as their fate now hinges on other matches.
Farhan Optimistic Against Archer
Farhan has had a standout tournament, scoring an unbeaten 100 against Namibia, placing him at the top of the run chart with 220 runs. He is confident heading into this crucial match.
He added:
“Facing Archer won’t be tough. I’ve played against similar bowlers in Pakistan. If he has plans for me, I have plans for him too.”
Pakistan boasts a formidable spin attack, collecting 26 wickets from spin in their four matches, compared to just seven from fast bowlers. The team may bring in spinner Abrar Ahmed in place of all-rounder Faheem Ashraf to enhance this strength.
Meanwhile, England is expected to maintain their usual lineup, featuring spin options like Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, and Jacob Bethell.
Historically, Pakistan has not won any of their three T20 World Cup matches against England, presenting a challenging backdrop. However, they see the current weather conditions as a significant opportunity for their spin bowlers.
The top two teams from this group, which includes Sri Lanka and New Zealand, will qualify for the semi-finals. Therefore, the upcoming match on Tuesday night is a must-win for Pakistan.
