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Preview: Pakistan vs. England fourth T20 - prediction, series so far, team news

Sports Mole previews the fourth T20 International between Pakistan and England at Karachi National Stadium, including predictions, the series so far and team news.

England and Pakistan will reconvene in Karachi for the fourth of seven T20 internationals on Sunday afternoon.

It is England who lead the series heading into the fourth match, following a comprehensive 63-run victory on Friday to bounce back from a heavy defeat a day earlier.


Match preview

Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez looks dejected after being caught out by England's Jonny Bairstow on July 20, 2021© Reuters

Having suffered a bruising defeat in the second match, England bounced back in style on Friday, notching up a total of 221 from their 20 overs.

At the heart of things for England were Harry Brook and Ben Duckett, who both hit maiden half-centuries for the tourists during their blistering innings.

For Brook, who finished proceedings on 81 not out, it is yet another milestone in what has turned out to be a memorable summer for the Yorkshire batter.

Prior to Brook and Duckett's demolition, there was an important cameo from debutant Will Jacks, who hit a solid 40 from 22 balls at the top of the order.

Another standout pick from this summer's crop of talented English prospects, Jacks will be competing alongside the likes of Phil Salt and the returning Alex Hales for a spot in England's World Cup squad.

So far it is Salt who has struggled the most, with the Lancashire opener having managed just 48 runs combined across his three outings in this series so far – an average of 16 runs per innings.

Elsewhere, the form of Dawid Malan has presented a concern ahead of next month's World Cup, with the 35-year-old having failed to match the explosiveness of his fellow English teammates.

Regardless, the victory came at somewhat of a canter for England, who after taking four wickets in the six-over powerplay, went on to secure a comfortable triumph.

It leaves the series, with four games to play, firmly in England's control, and the tourists will no doubt be keen to open up clear daylight between themselves and Pakistan with another win on Sunday, but plenty of questions remain over the team selections of both sides.

England's Jos Buttler in action against Pakistan on July 18, 2021© Reuters

Having made his return from injury in the third match, Mark Wood ended the evening with figures of three for 25 runs, but he is unlikely to play in Sunday's clash.

A return for Luke Wood could be on the cards, whereas David Willey, who is without a wicket in this series so far, may also be given the nod.

Hales, who sat out the third match, is in contention to return, as England search for an opener to partner captain Jos Buttler at the top of the order.

The double-pronged spin attack of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid should retain their positions in England's bowling lineup.

The best performer for Pakistan in an otherwise dismal third match was Shan Masood, who notched up a half-century during the hosts' failed run-chase.

A powerful middle-order batter, Masood will look to provide support for opening partnership Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

It has been a strong series for Shahnawaz Dahani so far. The Pakistan right-arm pace bowler failed to take a wicket in Friday's clash, but has consistently threatened with the ball in hand.

England squad: Jos Buttler (C), Moeen Ali (VC), Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Liam Dawson, Richard Gleeson, Tom Helm, Will Jacks, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Luke Wood, Mark Wood

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (VC), Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir


Series so far

First T20:

ENG won toss and bowled
PAK - 158/7
ENG - 160/4
ENG won by 6 wickets

Second T20:

ENG won toss and batted
ENG - 199/6
PAK - 203/0
PAK won by 10 wickets

Third T20:

PAK won toss and bowled
ENG - 221/3
PAK - 157/8
ENG won by 63 runs



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We say: Pakistan to win

Granted, England's bowlers did perform well against Pakistan on Friday, yet it did feel as if Pakistan had an off day.

Expect the hosts to bounce back on Sunday, with the powerful duo of Azam and Rizwan to guide Pakistan to a victory, levelling the series 2-2

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Harry Brook in action for England in July 2022.
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