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Match 4 | Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Sunday, 25 October 2026
Pakistan are expected to name the same side that won Match 2, while England must plan without Buttler, who is out with a hamstring problem. Archer was rested earlier, and Rashid and Curran returned for the Pakistan game. Dawson and Tongue then came in against Sri Lanka, so England’s final combination is still unconfirmed. Lahore on October 25 will show which of those changes survive and which were one-off answers. Pakistan have won four of their last five ODIs, which explains the reluctance to change.
Pakistan fielded the same eleven in Match 2 as in Match 1, and nothing in the camp suggests a rethink. The batting order runs Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saad Baig, Salman Agha and Hasan Nawaz, with Arafat Minhas at seven. Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf complete the group. A change is not confirmed, so continuity is the sensible reading.
That win over England came by 87 runs, the freshest proof that this group works. Minhas made 59 and took 6 for 40 in it, and he has 137 runs and 13 wickets from five ODIs overall. Pakistan have little reason to disturb a lineup that is winning.
| Player | Role | Batting Position |
| Fakhar Zaman | Batter | 1 |
| Saim Ayub | All-rounder | 2 |
| Babar Azam | Batter | 3 |
| Saad Baig | WK-batter | 4 |
| Salman Agha | All-rounder | 5 |
| Hasan Nawaz | Batter | 6 |
| Arafat Minhas | All-rounder | 7 |
| Faheem Ashraf | All-rounder | 8 |
| Shaheen Afridi | Bowler | 9 |
| Naseem Shah | Bowler | 10 |
| Haris Rauf | Bowler | 11 |
Banton and Duckett opened for England in Match 2, with Root and Brook at three and four. Cox, Curran, Jacks and Overton filled the middle, and Atkinson, Rashid and Baker made up the attack. Against Sri Lanka in the next game, Dawson replaced Rashid and Tongue replaced Baker. Banton opens as the wicketkeeper in the later lineup, with Duckett, Root and Brook behind him.
A hamstring injury rules Buttler out, and Archer has been rested, which thins the pace options. Rashid and Curran came back for the Pakistan game, yet Dawson’s spin took Rashid’s place against Sri Lanka. Injuries after Match 3 have not been reported, so the side remains an open question.
| Player | Role | Batting Position |
| Tom Banton | WK-batter | 1 |
| Ben Duckett | Batter | 2 |
| Joe Root | Batter | 3 |
| Harry Brook | Batter | 4 |
| Will Jacks | All-rounder | 5 |
| Sam Curran | All-rounder | 6 |
| Jordan Cox | WK-batter | 7 |
| Jamie Overton | All-rounder | 8 |
| Liam Dawson | All-rounder | 9 |
| Gus Atkinson | Bowler | 10 |
| Josh Tongue | Bowler | 11 |
Banton has 488 runs from 12 ODIs at an average of 44.36, a mark that stands out in this lineup. He made 57 against Pakistan, 126 against Sri Lanka and a fifty in another game, which is the profile of an opener in rhythm. Brook’s 202 against Sri Lanka adds a second heavyweight.
For Pakistan, Nawaz has 229 runs from six ODIs with a best of 79. Minhas offers a genuine all-round threat on his numbers, including a best of 6 for 40. Afridi’s 3 for 30 against Australia shows the new ball is in good hands.
ODI scores at Gaddafi in 2026 offer a guide. First innings totals read 231 and 157, while second innings totals read 190 and 161. None of those four reached 250, so a contest below that mark has been the norm.
Totals have stayed modest, so wickets in the powerplay and middle overs will count for more than a big opening stand. Treat this pitch read as a guide, not a rule.
England lead the overall ODI record against Pakistan, winning 57 of 92 meetings to Pakistan’s 32, with three no results. Pakistan won the most recent one by 87 runs on October 20. Splits for matches played in Pakistan are reported differently, so the overall figure is the safer one to quote.
Pakistan have won four of their last five ODIs, while England have won two of theirs. That favours a stable side for the hosts and puts pressure on England to settle their combination. The final Pakistan vs England Tri Series 2026 playing XI will only be clear at the toss, but an unchanged Pakistan and an England side without Buttler is the safest forecast.
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Will Pakistan make changes for Match 4?
Pakistan are not confirmed to change their side, and an unchanged lineup looks likely. They kept the same eleven from Match 1 to Match 2, so continuity is the safer expectation.
Is Buttler playing in the Tri Series?
No, a hamstring injury rules Buttler out. Banton and Cox are the two wicketkeeper-batters in England’s most recently listed side, so cover for the gloves is available if needed.
Who has scored 202 for England in recent ODIs?
Harry Brook scored 202 against Sri Lanka in a recent ODI. England still lost that game, so the double century could not rescue the result for his side in the series.
Is England’s side for Match 4 confirmed?
No, England’s side has not been confirmed. The last listed eleven faced Sri Lanka, with Dawson and Tongue in for Rashid and Baker, and injury updates since then are missing.
Who won the last Pakistan and England ODI?
Pakistan won by 87 runs on October 20. Minhas starred in that match with 59 runs and 6 for 40, an all-round display from a player batting at seven.
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