PAK vs ENG 2nd ODI Match Prediction, Pitch Report & Fantasy Tips
Pakistan come into this game after Salman Agha’s 107 off 90 balls helped them beat Sri Lanka, but England have Joe Root in huge form, with 575 runs at an average close to 96 this season.

Match Preview
Pakistan face England in Rawalpindi after a 37-run win over Sri Lanka in the tri-series opener. They made 305 and then their fast bowlers took all 10 Sri Lankan wickets.
Salman Agha leads Pakistan’s batting with 421 runs this season, and Babar Azam averages over 55. Haris Rauf has been their best bowler, with 21 wickets.
England play their first game of the series. Joe Root is the big name here, with 575 runs at an average of 95.83. England have also won the last four ODIs between these two teams.
Pakistan have home advantage and fresh confidence, but England’s strong batting makes this a very close game.
Match Details
Here are the key details for the PAK vs ENG 2nd ODI.
|
Detail |
Info |
|
Match |
Pakistan vs England — 2nd Match (D/N) |
|
Date & Time |
October 20, 2026, 1:30 PM IST |
|
Venue |
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
|
Series |
Pakistan ODI Tri-Series |
|
Live Streaming |
Ten Sports, FanCode (India) |
PAK vs ENG Pitch Report – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Rawalpindi is a good batting pitch once the new ball gets old. But fast bowlers can take wickets early, as the ball can swing and seam in the first 8 to 10 overs.
The last match here showed this clearly. Pakistan lost both openers early but still made 305. Then pace bowlers took all of Sri Lanka’s wickets, as they were all out for 268.
For this match, 280-295 is a fair par score, and 300 or more will be a strong total. This is the second game at this ground in three days, so the pitch may slow down a little. The match starts in the afternoon, so dew should not play a big role.
Read Also: How to Read a Cricket Pitch Report Before a Match: A Beginner’s Guide to Predicting Outcomes
PAK vs ENG Recent Form
The recent results of both teams provide some context ahead of this match.
|
Team |
Recent Performance |
|
Pakistan |
L W L W W |
|
England |
W W W L W |
Data Source: ESPNcricinfo
PAK vs ENG Head-to-Head Record
England hold a strong edge in the recent head-to-head meetings between the two teams.
|
Date |
Result |
Margin |
|
11-Nov-2023 |
England won |
93 runs |
|
13-Jul-2021 |
England won |
3 wickets (12 balls remaining) |
|
10-Jul-2021 |
England won |
52 runs |
|
08-Jul-2021 |
England won |
9 wickets (169 balls remaining) |
|
03-Jun-2019 |
Pakistan won |
14 runs |
Data Source: ESPNcricinfo
PAK vs ENG Probable Playing XI
The probable playing XIs for the second match are as follows.
Pakistan:
Saad Baig (WK), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Arafat Minhas, Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi (C), Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
England:
Ben Duckett, Harry Brook (C), Joe Root, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox (WK), Jamie Overton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue
Read Also: How Do Last-Minute Playing XI Changes Affect a Cricket Match Outcome?
Top Picks for PAK vs ENG Fantasy Team
These players stand out based on their recent performances and season statistics.
Top Batting Picks
- Joe Root (ENG, BAT) — 575 runs this season at an incredible average of 95.83. The form batter in this contest by a distance.
- Salman Agha (PAK, BAT) — 421 runs at an average of 52.63 this season. Scored 107 off 90 balls in the last game here.
- Babar Azam (PAK, BAT) — 335 runs at an average of 55.83 this season.
- Ben Duckett (ENG, BAT) — 399 runs at a strike rate of 91.72 this season.
Top Bowling Picks
- Haris Rauf (PAK, BOWL) — 21 wickets at an economy of 5.31 this season. The leading wicket-taker in this contest.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (PAK, BOWL) — 15 wickets at an economy under 5 this season. Took 3 wickets against Sri Lanka here.
- Will Jacks (ENG, ALL/BOWL) — 10 wickets at an economy of 5.19 this season.
- Sam Curran (ENG, ALL/BOWL) — 10 wickets at an economy of 5.71 this season.
PAK vs ENG Best Fantasy Team
Here is a suggested fantasy team for the PAK vs ENG 2nd ODI.
|
Role |
Player |
|
WK |
Jordan Cox |
|
BAT |
Joe Root (C) · Salman Agha · Babar Azam · Ben Duckett |
|
ALL |
Will Jacks · Sam Curran |
|
BOWL |
Haris Rauf (VC) · Shaheen Shah Afridi · Naseem Shah · Adil Rashid |
Captain and Vice-Captain Choices
- Captain: Joe Root
- Vice-Captain: Haris Rauf
PAK vs ENG Toss Prediction
Toss Prediction: Bat first
Rawalpindi has a good chasing record overall, but the conditions for this game point the other way. Pakistan batted first and defended 305 in the last match here. This game starts in the afternoon, so dew will not help the chasing side much. And with the pitch being used again after just two days, it may get slower later in the day.
PAK vs ENG Today Match Prediction
Prediction: England to Win
England have won the last four ODIs against Pakistan, and Joe Root is in amazing form. With Brook, Duckett and Banton around him, their batting looks deeper.
Pakistan have home support and a strong pace attack led by Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi, so they can win if they take early wickets. But England’s batting strength gives them a slight edge.
Joe Root is the selected captain given his outstanding form with the bat this season. Haris Rauf is another strong option for Pakistan given his wicket-taking form.
England have a slight edge because of their strong batting and recent head-to-head record. Pakistan will look to Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi to take early wickets.
The toss prediction is to bat first. The pitch may slow down after being used again, and the afternoon start means dew should not help the chasing side.
England have won 4 of their last 5 ODIs against Pakistan, including the most recent meeting in November 2023.
Joe Root and Haris Rauf are the selected key fantasy options based on their current form. Salman Agha and Shaheen Shah Afridi are also worth considering.