by The 45th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 phase will be played between England and Pakistan on February 24, 2026, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. A win in this match will seal a semifinal spot for England, while Pakistan faces a do-or-die situation, as a loss here will almost end their campaign.
This high-stakes clash is one of the most crucial encounters in Group 2, as its result will also indirectly affect New Zealand and Sri Lanka’s semifinal chances. The match will begin at 7:00 PM IST for Indian audiences and at 6:30 PM PKT for fans in Pakistan.
Pitch Report for England vs Pakistan (Feb 24, 2026)
So far, four matches have been played at this venue, with one (Ireland vs Zimbabwe) being washed out due to rain. Out of the remaining games, the teams batting first have won twice, while the chasing teams have also succeeded twice.
The pitch at Pallekele tends to assist spinners, especially during the first innings of evening games. Batters can expect some turn and grip early on, making stroke play tricky. A total above 160 runs could prove challenging to chase, as dew might not play a major role in this match.
For Pakistan, winning the toss and opting to bat first could be the smarter choice. If England’s batting lineup manages to survive Usman Tariq’s initial spell, then a target between 160 and 175 runs may still be very much achievable for them.
Expected Playing XIs for England vs Pakistan
England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Ben Duckett, 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
Weather and Rain Forecast for ENG vs PAK (Feb 24, 2026)
The weather in Pallekele on February 24 is expected to remain clear, with 0% chances of rain between 7:00 PM and 12:00 midnight. The temperature will stay around 20°C, and humidity will range between 83% and 90%, making conditions slightly uncomfortable for players.
Wind speed is expected to remain low, around 2 km/h, ensuring stable playing conditions. Fans can look forward to a full 40-over match, though players might face some discomfort due to the high humidity.
Winner Prediction: England vs Pakistan Super 8 Match
Based on current form, team balance, and conditions, these are the winning probabilities for the 45th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026:
- England chances of winning: 55%
- Pakistan chances of winning: 45%
Although Pakistan enjoys the advantage of playing in familiar subcontinental conditions, England’s spinners are in outstanding form this tournament. If England’s top-order batters manage to survive the early overs of Usman Tariq, the match will likely swing in their favour.
The spin duo of Will Jacks and Adil Rashid could cause major problems for Pakistan’s fragile middle order. The key players for Pakistan will be Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, and Salman Agha, who need to steady the innings and counter England’s spin challenge effectively.
- Our final prediction: England is likely to win this Super 8 encounter.
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