There is always something about Pakistan and losing the second match of the series. It has happened many times in recent history, and 2021 saw no difference. In all four white-ball series so far for Pakistan this year, they have lost all the second matches of the series. From South Africa and Zimbabwe tours to here in England. Does Pakistan enjoy taking the game to do-or-die situations? Who knows. But one thing is for sure is that they would fight hard in the next game. Here’s what you can expect in the match preview of the 3rd T20I match. 

Pakistan that batted on Sunday was not something new. The failures of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan saw the middle-order clueless again. They were out-spinned by England’s trio of Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, and Matt Parkinson. This is already a huge issue ahead of the T20 World Cup, and the team has to find the right combination for the middle order. 

On Tuesday, Pakistan will have to solve this issue on Tuesday, where Pakistan will be playing their final T20I at Manchester. They still have five T20I matches scheduled against the West Indies later. But they also would have to win the series in England as they have been targeting lately. So will the current middle-order stand up? Or will you ask to bring old faces back in those places?

Last chance for experiments for England

For England, this match will be the last time they experiment with the squad before they get serious for the final playing eleven. Eoin Morgan will be coming back to take the leadership role. England had a great all-around show at Leeds. The batsmen fired, and the bowlers were outstanding. 

The spinners in particular. Moeen Ali’s all-round performance saw him grab the “Player of the Match” award. The all-rounder hasn’t been his best lately but showed some valuable contributions. His pairing with Adil Rashid can form a very good spin attack, especially in UAE. The top fired well at the start, but there is an issue at the end, twice losing their last five wickets for cheap runs. 

England themselves do have issues. And against a side like Pakistan, they have found at least a couple of them. They will be looking to rectify these minor issues as soon as possible as the time is running out. 

Manchester saw these two teams fought for the series before in 2020. It will now be watching them fight again for the series victory. 

Match Details of 3rd T20I Match:

• Date: July 20, 2021
• Timing: 10:30 PM PKT
• Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
• Weather: It will be another hot day in England as the temperature in Manchester will be about 26℃. It is also going to be a clear day. 

Conditions / Pitch Report: 

Yes, it will be another high-scoring game. Manchester wicket is known for being one of the fast pitches. But if it breaks, it can become a slightly difficult wicket to bat on. Such is the case being expected tomorrow.  

Head to Head:

Matches: 20 | England: 12 | Pakistan: 6 | Tied/ No-result: 1/1

Form Guide:

England: W L W W W   (Most recent first)

Pakistan: L W W L W  

Team News:

1. England

Eoin Morgan will make a comeback in the game. Reports suggest that either Jonny Bairstow or Jason Roy will miss out on the match. David Willey may also come back, likely in place of Tom Curran. 

England’s Probable XI:

1. Jason Roy/ Jonny Bairstow, 2. Jos Buttler (WK), 3. Dawid Malan, 4. Eoin Morgan (C), 5. Moeen Ali, 6. Liam Livingstone, 7. David Willey, 8. Chris Jordan, 9. Saqib Mahmood, 10. Matt Parkinson, 11. Adil Rashid

2. Pakistan

Hasan was rested for the first T20I and did not play the second game as well. It seems that Hasan will come in for Haris Rauf. Whether either Usman Qadir or Mohammad Nawaz will play will have to wait and see. 

Pakistan’s Probable XI:

1. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 2. Babar Azam (c), 3. Fakhar Zaman 4. Mohammad Hafeez, 5. Sohaib Maqsood, 6. Azam Khan, 7. Imad Wasim, 8. Shadab Khan, 9. Hasan Ali/ Haris Rauf, 10. Shaheen Afridi, 11. Mohammad Hasnain

Players to watch:

1. Eoin Morgan, Batsman (England)

The spotlight now shines on Eoin Morgan. Already the greatest white-ball captain for England, Eoin will be targeting the T20 World Cup trophy in his cabinet. However, his form has been a concern. Morgan has played nine matches but six innings this year, all against Asian sides. He returned only 61 runs at an average of 10.16 with a 108.92 strike rate. He will be looking to gain back his form and be looking to find his spark in his captaincy. 

2. Fakhar Zaman, Batsman (Pakistan) 

Since his magnificent 91 against Australia in the tri-series final in Zimbabwe, Fakhar Zaman has lost his feet in T20Is for Pakistan. He has returned 336 runs in 25 innings at an average of 14 and 125 strike rates. His career started in 2021 well, with good innings over South Africa, but Fakhar just doesn’t seem to look settled. Fakhar has been used as an opener, pushed one and two down, and has been used as a middle-order batsman. It looks at the moment as if Pakistan is somehow finding a way to keep Fakhar on the side. Fakhar has to do something about his form; otherwise, the management will realize his liability and will be left him out for good. 

Stats and Trivia:

• England has won four out of seven times when playing at Old Trafford. Pakistan has defeated them in two out of three losses.
• Pakistan and England have played four T20I matches at Manchester since 2016, with Pakistan winning two and England one. 
• If England loses on Sunday, it will be their first home series loss since 2018. 
• Mohammad Rizwan is just 57 runs away from reaching 1,000 T20I runs. 

Quotes:

“Livingstone claims he’s hit two bigger – that was his chat last night. He has hit me for a couple of similar ones in training but it’s the biggest I’ve seen in a game. Some of the lads didn’t actually believe it had gone out the ground.”

Matt Parkinson on Liam Livingstone’s gigantic six

Also read: English spinners help England level the series.