England take on Pakistan in a crucial T20 World Cup 2026 clash. Check out match prediction, head-to-head record, pitch report, and who is likely to win today.

Last Updated: 12.17 AM, Feb 24, 2026
England will take on Pakistan in the 45th match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on February 24 at the Pallekele International Stadium, Pallekele. While the rain threat will loom over the match, Pakistan would hope for the match to happen since their first game was abandoned by rain. They will look for a victory in the upcoming match to get their tournament going.
Meanwhile, England won their first game against Sri Lanka in a convincing manner. They bowled out the hosts on 95 runs, making a statement win the tournament. Now, they just have to win one more game to qualify for the semi-finals. They have a balanced side that looks quite strong during the matches. Moreover, they have a better chance of beating Pakistan as well.
Match: England vs Pakistan, Match 45
Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Date: February 24, 2026
Time: 7 PM IST
Cricket fans in India can watch the England vs Pakistan online on JioHotstar, via OTTplay Premium.
The pitch at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium offers a balanced surface in T20 cricket. Batters can enjoy good bounce early in the innings, allowing free stroke play during the powerplay. However, as the match progresses, the surface tends to slow down, bringing spinners and pace-off deliveries into the game. Pacers using cutters often find success in the death overs, while batting first has historically proven to be slightly advantageous at this venue.
Matches played: 31
ENG won: 21
PAK won: 9
No result: 1
England
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
Pakistan
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq
1. Jos Buttler: Jos Buttler’s explosive batting at the top provides England with quick starts. His aggressive intent in the powerplay can put pressure on Pakistan’s bowlers and set the tone for the innings.
2. Jofra Archer: Jofra Archer’s pace and accuracy make him a dangerous weapon in England’s bowling attack. His ability to strike early and deliver in death overs adds depth to England’s chances in this clash.
1. Babar Azam: Babar Azam remains Pakistan’s batting mainstay with his calm approach and ability to anchor the innings. His consistency at the top will be crucial in building partnerships against England’s strong bowling attack.
2. Shadab Khan: Shadab Khan’s all-round abilities offer balance to Pakistan’s lineup. His leg-spin can control the middle overs while his finishing skills with the bat make him a vital contributor in crunch situations.