England vs Pakistan 45th Match Super 8 Group 2 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is the blockbuster clash cricket fans have been waiting for. With England sitting pretty at the top of Group 2 after a dominant 51-run win over Sri Lanka, and Pakistan needing a victory to keep their semi-final dreams alive following a washout against New Zealand, this Tuesday night encounter at Pallekele promises fireworks.
England fans, are you ready for another “home-from-home” masterclass in Sri Lanka? Harry Brook’s men have won all four matches at this venue in the last month – three against Sri Lanka in the bilateral series and one in the Super Eights. Pakistan arrive with spin firepower and the red-hot Sahibzada Farhan, but history, form and familiarity heavily favour the Three Lions.
This isn’t just another Super Eights game. For Pakistan, it’s do-or-die. For England, it’s a golden chance to book a semi-final spot with a game to spare. Spin will decide the night on a gripping Pallekele surface, and England’s quartet of Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell looks ready to torment the visitors.
Match Details
England vs Pakistan 45th Match Super 8 Group 2 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Full Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM Local (Sri Lanka) | 1:30 PM GMT | 7:00 PM IST
- Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, Kandy
- Toss: 6:30 PM Local
- Match Format: T20I (20 overs)
- Series: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Super Eights, Group 2
Day Timeline for Fans
- Gates open: 3:00 PM Local
- Toss: 6:30 PM Local
- First ball: 7:00 PM Local
- Expected finish: 10:20 PM Local (no rain forecast)
England have already played four matches here and won every single one. That “home advantage” in Sri Lanka hills is real. Pakistan are playing their first game at Pallekele in this tournament after spending time in Colombo. The pressure is firmly on Salman Agha’s side.
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium – England’s Happy Hunting Ground
Nestled in the beautiful hills of Kandy with the Knuckles Mountain Range as backdrop, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (capacity 35,000) is a cricketer’s paradise. The two ends – Hunnasgiriya End and Rikillagaskada End – have seen some epic T20 battles.
T20I Records at Pallekele
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total T20Is | 34 |
| Matches won batting first | 17 |
| Matches won batting second | 14 |
| Ties | 2 |
| Average 1st innings score | 168 |
| Average 2nd innings score | 145 |
| Highest team total | 263/3 (AUS vs SL) |
| Lowest team total | 88 (NZ vs SL) |
| Highest successful chase | 184/2 (SL vs AUS) |
England have played four T20Is here since January 2026 and won all four. They defended 146/9 against Sri Lanka on Sunday on a used pitch. This match is on a fresh surface – expect better batting conditions early on, with spin taking over later.
Spin has accounted for 42% of wickets at the venue with excellent economy rates. England’s pacers (especially Jofra Archer) have taken 11 PowerPlay wickets in the tournament – second only to South Africa. Archer alone has seven.
England fans planning to follow every ball – this fortress is yours tonight!
Pallekele Pitch Report 2026, Dew Factor & Playing Conditions – What England Fans Need to Know
This England vs Pakistan 45th Match Super 8 Group 2 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be played on a fresh pitch – completely different from the sticky one used on Sunday.
Early on: Good bounce and carry. Batters can play their shots freely in the PowerPlay. Par score on fresh Pallekele pitches: 170+.
After 10-12 overs: Grip increases. Spinners come into their own. Cutters and mystery spin will be lethal.
Dew Factor: Moderate to high after 8-10 PM due to humidity (70-85%) and temperature drop. Ball gets slippery – chasing becomes easier in the death overs.
Tactical Advice for England Fans
- If England win the toss → Bowl first. Use the dew later and let your spinners defend.
- Pakistan will want to bat first and set a big total using their spin quartet.
Average score first innings on fresh pitches here: 170-175. Expect 165-180 as a fighting total.
Weather Forecast for England vs Pakistan at Pallekele – 24 February 2026
Perfect cricket weather awaits!
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24-31°C (night) |
| Humidity | 62-85% (dew likely) |
| Wind | Light 7-10 km/h |
| Rain probability | 0% |
| Conditions | Clear skies, dry |
No rain interruptions expected. Full 40-over contest guaranteed. The drop in temperature after sunset will help the ball grip perfectly for spinners – music to England’s ears.
England Squad Analysis & Probable Playing XI – Brook’s Men Ready for Pakistan
England have stuck with the same XI for weeks and look settled. Harry Brook’s captaincy has been masterful – his side bowls more than 53% spin overs, the highest among England captains in 10+ games.
England Probable XI
- Phil Salt
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Jacob Bethell
- Tom Banton
- Harry Brook (c)
- Sam Curran
- Will Jacks
- Liam Dawson
- Jamie Overton
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
Strengths
- Spin depth (Rashid, Dawson, Jacks, Bethell) – perfect for Pallekele.
- PowerPlay pace (Archer 7 wickets).
- Middle-order firepower (Brook, Jacks, Curran).
Concerns
- Top-order fragility (lowest aggregate in Super Eights).
- 21 wickets lost to spin in the tournament (most by any team).
Brook’s success rate as captain: 75% – highest for any England skipper. The balance is spot-on.
England Players to Watch vs Pakistan – The Stars Who Can Win It for the Three Lions
Phil Salt
Explosive opener. Scored 62 vs Sri Lanka – the only notable innings. Needs a big start against Pakistan’s early swing.
Jos Buttler
60 runs in 5 innings at SR 113. Under pressure but Brook backs him fully. This is the night the legend fires.
Harry Brook
Captain fantastic. Leads from front with bat and clever bowling changes.
Will Jacks
Player of the Match three times already in this World Cup. All-round hero with bat and off-spin.
Jofra Archer
7 PowerPlay wickets – joint-most in tournament. Nightmare for Farhan & Co.
Adil Rashid
17 wickets in 9 matches at 7.24 economy. Googly master on gripping pitches.
Liam Dawson
12 wickets at 7.65 economy. Left-arm spin will trouble right-handers.
Sam Curran
Death-over specialist. Didn’t even bowl vs SL – fresh and ready.
Jamie Overton
Hit-the-deck-hard pace. Perfect foil to Archer.
England fans, if these stars click together tonight, Pakistan have no answers!
Pakistan Squad & Probable XI – The Threats England Must Neutralise
Pakistan Probable XI
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Agha (c)
- Babar Azam
- Fakhar Zaman
- Usman Khan (wk)
- Shadab Khan
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Faheem Ashraf
- Salman Mirza
- Usman Tariq
Shaheen Afridi is out (bench again). Salman Mirza keeps his place as lone seamer. Fakhar Zaman gets another go after the washout.
Strengths
- Spin depth (Nawaz, Shadab, Tariq, Agha).
- Farhan’s insane form.
Weaknesses
- Middle order averages below 30. No fifty-plus scores except Farhan.
- Babar Azam likely at No.4 as stabiliser (coach Mike Hesson confirmed strike-rate issue in PowerPlay).
Pakistan Danger Men – Who England Fans Must Watch Closely
Sahibzada Farhan
Leading run-scorer in T20s since Jan 2025: 2295 runs @ 39.56 avg, SR 150, five hundreds. Tournament top-scorer with 285 runs @ SR 164.
Babar Azam
Strike rate 115 in this World Cup – under scrutiny. Crucial at No.4.
Mohammad Nawaz
12 wickets @ 7.03 economy. Left-arm spin threat.
Usman Tariq
Mystery spin – will trouble England’s spin-weak batters.
Shadab Khan
All-round threat and leg-spin wizard.
England’s plan: Early Archer spell to Farhan, then spin choke in middle overs.
England vs Pakistan Head-to-Head – Complete T20I & World Cup Record
Overall T20I Record
| Matches | England Wins | Pakistan Wins | NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 21 | 9 | 1 |
Last 5 Completed Matches
All won by England (7 wickets, 23 runs, 5 wickets etc.)
In T20 World Cups
England 3 – Pakistan 0 (including 2022 final)
England have won last five meetings overall. History is 100% on England’s side.
England & Pakistan Recent Form & World Cup 2026 Journey So Far
England Last 5 Completed T20Is
W (vs SL by 51 runs) – W (vs Italy) – W (vs Scotland) – L (vs WI) – W (vs Nepal)
Pakistan Last 5
NR (vs NZ) – W (vs Namibia by 102 runs) – L (vs India by 61 runs) – W (vs USA) – W (vs Netherlands)
Super Eights Group 2 Table
| Pos | Team | M | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2.550 |
| 3 | Pakistan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
England have momentum. Pakistan cannot afford another slip.
Tactical Breakdown: How England Will Beat Pakistan at Pallekele
PowerPlay
Archer & Overton vs Farhan & Ayub. England’s 11 PowerPlay wickets show class.
Middle Overs
Rashid + Dawson + Jacks vs Babar & middle order. England lost 21 wickets to spin – but they also know how to bowl it better than anyone.
Death Overs
Curran’s variations + Archer’s yorkers. Pakistan have only Mirza as frontline seamer.
Brook’s captaincy masterclass: 53%+ spin overs. Perfect for Pallekele.
England fans – your team is tactically superior tonight!
How to Watch England vs Pakistan Live – UK, Sky Sports & Global Streaming
- India: Star Sports TV | JioCinema / Hotstar (free with Jio)
- UK: Sky Sports Cricket
- Pakistan: PTV Sports / Ten Sports
- Sri Lanka: Dialog / SLT + ICC.tv
- Global: ICC.tv (free in many countries), Willow TV (USA)
Radio: BBC Test Match Special (UK). App: ICC Official App for live scores.
England vs Pakistan Prediction – Why England Will Win & Score Prediction
England win probability: 62-65%.
Predicted Scores
England: 168-178
Pakistan: 155-165
Margin: England to win by 20-35 runs or 6 wickets.
England’s venue mastery, spin balance, Archer’s pace and historical dominance make them clear favourites. Pakistan’s spin can cause problems, but Farhan alone cannot carry the batting.
This is the night the Three Lions take firm control of Group 2. England fans, roar them home from Pallekele – the semi-finals are calling!
ESPNcricinfo match page.
FAQs for England vs Pakistan 45th Match Super 8 Group 2
Q1: What is the date and time for England vs Pakistan 45th Match Super 8 Group 2 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026? The England vs Pakistan 45th Match Super 8 Group 2 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is on Tuesday, 24 February 2026 at 7:00 PM Local (Sri Lanka), 1:30 PM GMT and 7:00 PM IST. Toss is at 6:30 PM Local. Perfect timing for UK and Indian fans to catch every ball live on Sky Sports and JioCinema/Hotstar.
Q2: Where is England vs Pakistan 45th Match Super 8 Group 2 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 being played? The match is at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka. England vs Pakistan 45th Match Super 8 Group 2 England have won all four games here in the last month – their true home-from-home venue for this England vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 preview clash.
Q3: What is the Pallekele pitch report for England vs Pakistan 45th Match Super 8 Group 2 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026? Fresh pitch with good early bounce, grip after 10 overs for spinners and dew likely in the second innings. Par score 170+. England’s spin quartet (Rashid, Dawson, Jacks, Bethell) will dominate – full Pallekele pitch report 2026 inside the guide.
Q4: Who are the key players to watch in England vs Pakistan 45th Match Super 8 Group 2 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026? England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Will Jacks (3x Player of the Match), Jofra Archer (7 PowerPlay wickets). Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (tournament’s top scorer with 285 runs @ SR 164). Full player analysis in the ultimate preview.
Q5: What is England’s predicted score and winning chance in this Super 8 clash? England are 62-65% favourites. Predicted scores: England 168-178, Pakistan 155-165. England to win by 20-35 runs or 6 wickets. Detailed England vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 prediction and score forecast inside.
Q6: Why is this match so important for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8? Pakistan have just 1 point after the New Zealand washout. A loss here almost ends their semi-final hopes. England have 2 points and momentum – this is effectively a quarter-final for Salman Agha’s side.
Q7: How can I watch England vs Pakistan 45th Match Super 8 Group 2 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 live in India and UK? India: Star Sports TV + JioCinema/Hotstar (free with Jio). UK: Sky Sports Cricket. Global: ICC.tv. Full broadcasting and streaming guide with time-zone converter included.
Q8: What is England’s head-to-head record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups? England have won all 3 previous T20 World Cup meetings including the 2022 final. Overall T20I record: England lead 21-9. Complete head-to-head stats and tables in the article.
Q9: Will dew play a big role in the England vs Pakistan match at Pallekele? Yes – moderate to high dew expected after 8-10 PM due to 70-85% humidity. Chasing becomes easier in death overs. Captain winning toss likely to bowl first. Full dew factor and conditions analysis provided.
Q10: Is England’s spin attack stronger than Pakistan’s for this Pallekele clash? Absolutely. Harry Brook uses 53%+ spin overs (highest for any England captain). Rashid, Dawson, Jacks and Bethell are perfectly suited to gripping Pallekele pitches. Pakistan have spin depth too but England’s variety and experience give them the edge.