Pakistan vs England: ODI preview from Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Pakistan ODI Tri-Series reaches 2nd Match (D/N) with Pakistan and England still to start an ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Tuesday, 20 October 2026 at 08:00 am. Read this as the pre-match piece: conditions first, then the two XIs, then the contest that decides the day.

Fakhar Zaman against Joe Root is the matchup this ODI keeps circling back to at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan ODI Tri-Series runs from Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 08:00 am to Sunday, 1 November 2026 at 11:59 pm. 2nd Match (D/N) is not a standalone.

Match snapshot

• Fixture: 2nd Match (D/N)
• Series: Pakistan ODI Tri-Series
• Format: ODI
• Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
• Date and time: Tuesday, 20 October 2026 at 08:00 am
• Status: Yet to start
• Pakistan: Pakistan Men ODI
• England: England Men ODI

The 2nd Match (D/N) score stays on the live scoreboard.

What 2nd Match (D/N) does to Pakistan ODI Tri-Series

If Pakistan win at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, their XI tends to stay for the next Pakistan ODI Tri-Series game. If England lose, every low score becomes a selection argument. That is the stake in this 2026 ODI.

Pakistan want the new ball to ask a question or the top order to survive it. England want the opposite hour. Follow the passage, not only the headline total, on the live page once 2nd Match (D/N) starts.

What Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium asks of this ODI

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium shows its hand in the first hour. If the new ball moves, the top order has to leave. If it sits up, the opening stand can settle the day before the change bowlers arrive. Pakistan and England play that surface on this date, not a generic one.

Fifty overs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium split into a powerplay, a middle, and a death. Pakistan and England win it in the phase where the fifth bowler is hiding.

Who has to win their hour

Shaheen Shah Afridi sets the field for Pakistan. Jos Buttler sets it for England. At Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, that first-hour field is the plan for this ODI.

Pakistan squad to follow: Babar Azam (All-Rounder), Fakhar Zaman (Batsman), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicket Keeper), Saim Ayub (Batsman), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Bowler), Haris Rauf (Bowler), Naseem Shah (Bowler), Haseebullah Khan (Batsman).

England squad to follow: Harry Brook (Batsman), Tom Banton (Batsman), Jos Buttler (Wicket Keeper), Ben Duckett (Batsman), Joe Root (All-Rounder), Jacob Bethell (All-Rounder), Sam Curran (All-Rounder), Will Jacks (All-Rounder).

Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan carry the batting job for Pakistan. Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler carry it for England. In this ODI between them at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, one partnership that lasts is worth more than three starts.