The Super Eights clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 between England and Pakistan will be played on February 24 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, with both teams arriving in decent form.
Harry Brook-led England finished the group stage with three wins out of four games and qualified for the Super Eights. Having faced Sri Lanka in their Super Eight opener, the former champions edged past the hosts with utmost ease, as they clinched a comfortable 51-run win. The Three Lions will be riding high on confidence, and a win in this contest will almost confirm their qualification for the Semis.
Pakistan, too, won all four of its league games and finished second in its group. However, their Super Eight opener against New Zealand was hampered by constant rain, with both teams sharing a point. The Men in Green will be hoping to get their best game forward and clinch those important two points.
Here are the top 3 player battles to watch out for in ENG vs PAK, T20 WC 2026
3. Babar Azam vs Adil Rashid
Babar Azam and Adil Rashid will be up against each other for the 12th time in their T20I career. In 11 innings against Rashid, Babar has scored 84 runs off 70 balls at a strike rate of 120. Rashid, on the other hand, has dismissed him four times, maintaining an economy of 7.20 and a bowling strike rate of 17.50 in this head-to-head battle.
In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, the contrast in form has been evident. Babar, now batting at No. 4 in Pakistan’s reshuffled order, has struggled to impose himself consistently, with questions around his strike rate continuing to surface. Rashid, meanwhile, has been in superb rhythm, picking up important wickets, including a 2/13 against Sri Lanka, and climbing the all-time wicket charts.
| Matches | Innings | Runs Scored | Balls Bowled | Strike Rate | Economy Rate | Wicket Taken |
| 11 | 11 | 84 | 70 | 120.00 | 7.20 | 04 |
2. Phil Salt vs Mohammad Nawaz
The contest between Phil Salt and Mohammad Nawaz has been a sight to watch. In seven innings against Nawaz, Salt has scored 73 runs off 43 balls at a strike rate of 169.76. However, Nawaz has managed to dismiss him once, conceding runs at an economy of 10.18 in that match-up.
In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, Salt has looked in good touch. His 62 off 40 balls against Sri Lanka at Pallekele was a standout knock, especially on a tricky surface. He now has 1,710 T20I runs at a strike rate above 166. Nawaz, meanwhile, has chipped in with good spells, picking up wickets against Namibia (1/22) and USA (1/21).
| Matches | Innings | Runs Scored | Balls Bowled | Strike Rate | Economy Rate | Wicket Taken |
| 07 | 07 | 73 | 43 | 169.76 | 10.18 | 01 |
1. Sahibzada Farhan vs Jofra Archer
The Super 8 clash between Pakistan and England at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium will witness a battle between Sahibzada Farhan and Jofra Archer. Interestingly, the two have never faced each other in T20Is.
Farhan has been in sublime form, leading the tournament’s run charts with 220 runs in five matches. His unbeaten 100 against Namibia and a 73 versus the USA showed his aggressive intent at the top, though he did fall for a duck against India. With a strike rate above 160, Pakistan will bank on him to provide a strong start. Archer, meanwhile, has spearheaded England’s attack brilliantly. He returned 2/20 against Sri Lanka in the Super 8 and has consistently struck in the powerplay.
| Matches | Innings | Runs Scored | Balls Bowled | Strike Rate | Economy Rate | Wicket Taken |
| 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
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