First twenty20 preview: Pakistan v England

Stuart Broad

Twenty20 series are usually far simpler to preview when they follow straight on from a one-day series. And England’s 4-0 whitewash of Pakistan over the past week has made this series even easier to predict.

Returning the Test battering they received from Misbah-ul-Haq’s side with four different but equally as domineering victories has dealt a huge psychological blow to the Pakistani team, having thought England no match for their spin attack across all formats.

Kevin Pietersen especially, but also Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara, and even Jonathan Trott and Samit Patel to an extent, have proven their graft in practice and determination has overcome a serious weekness against spin. Pietersen spoke highly of the team’s ethic in the nets since losing the Test series 3-0 and both his and his peer’s performance against a five-pronged spin attack in the nets told Pakistan they no longer fear such a threat.

Should England continue to stand over the spinners in the twenty20 series then their superior quality with the ball may result in a second series whitewash in a row, starting with a victory in the first twenty20 in Dubai on Thursday.

Stuart Broad should take a similar side into the 20-over matches to the one that beat Pakistan in the final one-daye. With Craig Kieswetter impressing in a 109-run partnership with Pietersen the pair may open the batting with Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel and Jos Buttler to follow on.

However, they are sweating over the fitness of Ravi Bopara, who is undoubtedly an important part given his current form. The right-hander is struggling with a back problem but Tim Bresnan will be the last threat before the bowlers of Steve Finn, Jade Dernbach and Broad. Danny Briggs may earn a start too with Graeme Swann suffering from a knock.

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 50 runs in their last twenty20 match at the end of November, and they will keep as much of the one-day side for this one as England. Mohammad Hafeez should open the batting with the impressive Asad Shafiq, with Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal, the captain Misbah, Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi all included.

However, seamer Umar Gul, a wicket-taker in the Tests, will return at the expense of Adnan Akmal or Abdur Rehman but Junaid Khan may win a place after bowling well in the last ODI.

Prediction: England

Lyall Thomas

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