Pakistan will take on England in a crucial Super Eights fixture of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup on Tuesday, with a potential semi-final berth at stake.
The high-pressure encounter will be played in the Sri Lankan city of Pallekele, where the national team is currently holding practice sessions.
According to sources, there is a strong possibility that fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will return to the playing XI for the key clash. His inclusion could provide a major boost to Pakistan’s bowling attack, which has shown steady improvement in recent outings.
With the Super Eights stage entering a decisive phase, victory against England could significantly strengthen Pakistan’s path to the semi-finals.
Practice underway in Pallekele
The match will be held at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, where Pakistan have been preparing intensively. Team morale remains high despite challenges in the tournament, and the players are focused on delivering a strong performance against a formidable English side.
Sahibzada Farhan confident ahead of clash
Earlier, batter Sahibzada Farhan addressed the media and expressed confidence ahead of the match.
“Rain is not in our hands. We are confident and the morale is good,” he said, adding that the Pakistan team has played well at the venue before and is ready to give England a tough time.
He clarified that the decision to bat or bowl rests with the captain and coach, while the players’ job is to execute on the field.
Focus on batting stability
Farhan admitted that Pakistan’s batting collapses remain a concern.
“We are collapsing in batting, we have to think about it. We have to take the innings long from the top order. We are working on it, and it will improve,” he said.
He added that discussions on points calculation have not yet started, as the team remains focused on performance rather than permutations.
Farhan also noted that the bowling unit is performing well and continues to improve — a key factor heading into the must-win encounter.
With momentum, team confidence and a possible boost from Shaheen Afridi’s return, Pakistan will look to rise to the occasion and keep their World Cup campaign alive.
