Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

The first time England have toured Pakistan for 17 years. And we kick off now, just a week after the last series finished, because who needs a break or warm up matches?

A seven T20 series as England try to find some form ahead of the world T20

Wed 21 Sep 1st T20, Karachi

Fri 23 Sep 2nd T20, Karachi

Sat 24 Sep 3rd T20, Karachi

Mon 26 Sep 4th T20, Karachi

Thu 29 Sep 5th T20, Lahore

Sat 01 Oct 6th T20, Lahore

Mon 03 Oct 7th T20, Lahore

England claim the first win, with Alex Hales in a triumphant return to the side, and a fine debut for the promising Luke Wood.

Morgan said Hales would never come back into the side while he was captain. Guess he was right. But as soon as he goes, back comes Hales. With Roy out of form, there is definitely a batting spot up for grabs ahead of the world T20.

England lose by 10 wickers defending 199

Seems like Brook can hit the ball. Might take Stokes' spot in the middle order.

looks as though it was much better performance today

Runs a plenty for Brook and Duckett, a decent start for Jacks and a productive set of figures for Woody and Topley... 4-46 in 8 overs

I guess Wood and Topley will start, with Jordan.

Woody might well be injured by tomorrow

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Seems like Brook can hit the ball. Might take Stokes' spot in the middle order.

I think it will look like this.. I am sure they would like Wood and Woakes opening the bowling but have to have their left arm bowler in there.

1 Hales
2 Buttler
3 Malan
4 Livingstone
5 Brook
6 Stokes
7 Ali
8 Curran
9 Jordan
10 Wood
11 Rashid

Hmm, I was thinking Stokes has quit-!- but that's fifty overs. I'm going-

Buttler/Hales/Malan/Livingstone/Brook/Stokes/Moeen/Jordan/Wood/Rashid/Topley.

Curran/Salt/Willey/Woakes.

as long as they don't aimlessly bowl Livingstone just because they can

I get the impression Mo's finished as a bowler, though still an unreliable matchwinner with the bat. So LL will have to bowl a bit.

tight result in a modest run chase

England lost it in the first 2 overs, it would appear

Arthur Crabtree wrote:I get the impression Mo's finished as a bowler, though still an unreliable matchwinner with the bat. So LL will have to bowl a bit.

Will he , though ? Rashid , Topley , Wood , one of Willey/Curran/Jordan ; plus a bit of Stokes and Moeen as alternates to Livingstone : would seem to have a few options. Perhaps the tricky bit will be guessing which of these less-than-always-reliable bowlers is right for the day : unfortunately given the nature of t20 , the wrong choice can sink you before you have time to correct ...

If Mo bats for 11 overs I'd expect England to chase 145, 10 times out of 10.

England not giving a great deal of confidence ahead of the world T20.

Not quite the A side, and away, but still.