The first T20I of the four-match series between England and Pakistan will be played at Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds, on Wednesday and rain is likely to play spoilsport.
According to BBC weather, heavy rain along with a gentle breeze is expected throughout the day. Light showers will start in the morning and the intensity will increase during the day and will remain till 7pm local time. After that, light showers will once again continue.
As things stand, the first T20I will likely be called off without a single ball played. However, things will be much clearer by tomorrow morning.
Remember, this will be the last outing for both sides before the T20 World Cup 2024 which begins on June 1. Pakistan will play all of their group matches in the United States while England will travel to the West Indies to compete in their round matches.
Both teams would not like the rain to affect the match as getting their teams in shape before the World Cup would be important.
Remember, Pakistan recently played two T20I series, one against an inexperienced New Zealand side at home while the other was against Ireland in Dublin recently. They were Babar Azam’s first tests after being reappointed as white-ball captain.
The Green Shirts drew the T20I series against New Zealand 2-2 at home as one match was called off due to rain. Meanwhile, they managed to beat Ireland 2-1. However, despite winning the later series, the problems were quite evident for the Men in Green which they have to sort out before the World Cup begins.
On the other hand, England’s last T20 series was against West Indies in January this year which they lost 3-2.
Squads
England: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan
Schedule of Pakistan’s Tour of England
May 22: First T20I at Leeds
May 25: Second T20I at Birmingham
May 28: Third T20I at Cardiff
May 30: Fourth T20I at The Oval