England vs Pakistan T20 series: Dates, schedule, teams and how to follow as Jos Buttler’s men prepare for World Cup defense

England will prepare their defense for the T20 World Cup later this year with a short series against Pakistan.

Jos Buttler’s men endured a miserable ODI World Cup campaign in the autumn in which they crashed out in the group stage, but these matches against Pakistan should allow England to regain some momentum .

3

England find themselves in a strange situation ahead of the T20 World Cup, with some of their players in the Indian Premier League and others with their County Championship teams, playing first-class cricket.

Therefore, these matches will be the first short format cricket of the year for some members of the team.

England would need to get a few wins under their belt and although Pakistan are a top team, they were beaten by Buttler’s side in the 2022 T20 World Cup final.

England vs Pakistan T20 Series: Matches

• 1st match: May 22, Headingley, Leeds – 6:30 p.m.
• 2nd match: May 25, Edgbaston, Birmingham – 2:30 p.m.
• 3rd match: May 28, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff – 6:30 p.m.
• 4th match: May 30, The Oval, London – 6:30 p.m.

England vs Pakistan: How to follow

The entire series is expected to be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.

Sky Go customers will be able to stream the action via their laptops and mobile devices.

Alternatively, viewers can purchase day or month passes to NOW TV, starting from £11.98.

talkSPORT will have updates throughout the series and talkSPORT.com will have all the reaction.

To tune in to talkSPORT via the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, via your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

3

England vs Pakistan T20 Series: Teams

There is big team news for England, with Ben Stokes opting out.

But Jofra Archer is fully fit and has been included in the squad.

Spinner Tom Hartley is yet to be capped at ODI level but is in the squad after an impressive Test tour of India.

But apart from Hartley, this is an experienced England side, including Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have recalled Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali.

Mohammad Rizwan overcame his injury to be part of the Pakistan team, led by captain Babar Azam.

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

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

3

England vs Pakistan T20 series: What was said?

England chief executive Rob Key is confident Buttler’s men will have a good World Cup.

He said: “I think these guys are the right ones to take what is currently a fresher team forward.

“We have a team that mixes a little more youth and experience.

“It’s a great time for white-ball cricket and now we’re starting to move into the next era.”