England Playing XI Vs Pakistan- T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8- Jos Buttler Dropped?

England playing XI Vs Pakistan [Source: AFP]

Against all odds, England scripted a brilliant comeback to beat Sri Lanka in a low-scoring encounter on Sunday. The T20 World Cup Super 8 match had high stakes, and England prevailed by playing their best cricket in the competition so far, as they currently top their group.

On a sluggish wicket, England batters struggled, but they managed to post 146/9, before their spinners gave Sri Lanka a taste of their own medicine to clinch the match by a margin of 51 runs. The Three Lions will next take on Pakistan, and it is another tricky game for the former World champions.

Despite boasting a solid win over the Lankan Lions, England have a couple of chinks in their armour, and the team will be eager to make a couple of key changes to defeat the Pakistan side. Here is how the Harry Brook-led side could potentially lineup against Pakistan.

England playing XI Vs Pakistan- Match 45

Openers and top order: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell

Phil Salt finally joined the party against Sri Lanka as the batter scored a match-winning fifty on a tricky surface. He was woefully out of touch, but the hard-hitting player is back amongst run-getters. However, unlike him, England’s second opener, Jos Buttler is going through a rough patch.

In five matches, he has just scored 60 runs, with a strike rate of 113. On paper, Buttler should be dropped to accommodate Ben Duckett at the top, but that move won’t take place. England captain, Harry Brook, has assured that the team will continue to back the veteran player, and he will continue as Salt’s partner.

England’s best batter in the T20 World Cup 2026, Jacob Bethell, will continue to bat at number 3, as the team wants him to do the dual role of an anchor and an aggressor (when needed).

Middle order and all-rounders: Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Will Jacks

England’s top order has been in shambles, but the middle order has bailed them out of precarious situations. Brook and Banton have been inconsistent, but the duo has the firepower to torment the Pakistan spin-attack. Both players are due for a big one, and England will hope that moment arrives against the Men in Green.

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The England side is in a solid position to reach the semis, and the credit should be given to their two all-rounders, Sam Curran and Will Jacks. Time and again, the duo has bailed England from a tricky spot, and one or both of them have always stepped up for the side.

In the last match, the difference-maker was Will Jacks, who scored a quick-fire 21 off 14, before taking 3 for 22 to take Sri Lanka out of the winnig equation.

Bowlers: Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer

The England bowlers were ruthless against Sri Lanka, and the onslaught was started by Jofra Archer as he scalped 2 for 20 to stun the hosts. Jamie Overton was also economical as he gave away just 13 runs and picked up a. solitary wicket.

The two bowlers will be crucial against Pakistan, especially if England wants to take wickets in the powerplay. Apart from them, the Three Lions also have Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid, two quality spinners who will be useful against Pakistan on a spinning deck at the Pallekele Stadium.

In the bowling department, England has two quality pacers in Archer, Overton, and two brilliant spinners in Rashid, and Dawson. Alongside them, Curran, and Jacks can also chip in with wickets.