Pakistan vs England, Tri-Series 2026, 2nd ODI: Match Preview, Squads, Key Battles and Where to Watch

October 19, 2026 - By IPL Centre Team

Pakistan face England in Rawalpindi on October 20, 2026, in the second match of the ODI tri-series — a fixture that already carries weight after the tournament opener between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on October 18. With England entering the competition fresh and Harry Brook leading a new-look side, this is the series’ first genuine measuring stick.

Here is the full preview: squads, pitch report, key battles and where to watch.

Match details

Fixture: Pakistan vs England, 2nd ODI, ODI Tri-Series 2026
Date: October 20, 2026
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Series context: Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka each play each other twice; the top two teams qualify for the final in Lahore on October 31.

Squads

Pakistan (captain Shaheen Shah Afridi): Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Moqim.

Pakistan arrive with momentum questions answered partly by the T20I leg against Sri Lanka that preceded this series — and with the ODI World Cup in mind, this tri-series is a testing ground for combinations. Salman Ali Agha and Saim Ayub are the batters the team management is most keen to see make a strong ODI comeback, while the pace trio of Shaheen, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf gives Pakistan one of the sharpest new-ball attacks in the series.

England (captain Harry Brook): Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox (wicketkeeper), Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Josh Tongue.

England are without Jos Buttler, ruled out with a hamstring injury picked up during the second ODI against Sri Lanka at Headingley — which is also why he will miss the subsequent Australia series. Jordan Cox gets his chance to push his case in Buttler’s absence. The inclusion of Joe Root brings experience to a squad that blends youth with proven performers like Ben Duckett, Sam Curran and Adil Rashid.

Pitch and conditions

The Rawalpindi surface is not expected to change much from the T20I leg, with batters likely to get more assistance as the series settles in. Recent white-ball games at the venue have produced good batting tracks with some early help for the quicks. Spin has tended to come into play in the second half of matches — a factor that could matter with Abrar Ahmed and Adil Rashid both in the mix.

Key battles

Shaheen Shah Afridi vs England’s top order: Shaheen’s left-arm swing with the new ball against Ben Duckett and Harry Brook could set the tone for the entire innings. England’s batters will know the first ten overs are the danger zone.
Adil Rashid vs Pakistan’s middle order: Rashid remains one of the world’s best white-ball spinners, and his duel with Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha — players who score heavily through the middle overs — is the tactical heart of England’s game plan.
Haris Rauf vs the death overs: If the game is tight late on, Rauf’s pace at the death against England’s finishers like Sam Curran and Will Jacks could decide it.
Saim Ayub’s comeback: With the team management publicly backing him for an ODI comeback, all eyes will be on the young opener to convert promise into runs against quality opposition.

Where to watch

Pakistan: PTV Sports, Tapmad, Tamasha and PCB Live.
UK and Ireland: Sky Sports and NOW.
Sri Lanka: Dialog, PEO TV and Siyatha TV.
Bangladesh: T Sports and Tapmad.
Australia: Fox Sports.
North America: Willow TV.
UAE and Middle East: Cricbuzz.
Other regions: PCB Live / Sports Central, depending on territory.

What is at stake

England begin their campaign here, so a win would immediately put them in control of the group. For Pakistan, a second straight home victory would make them strong favourites for the Lahore final on October 31 — and with the ODI World Cup on the horizon, this is exactly the kind of high-intensity fixture both sides need. Expect a full house in Rawalpindi and a game that goes deep.