Pakistan vs England | ODI Tri Series 2026 | Rawalpindi, Pakistan | 20 October 2026 | 1:00 pm PKT

Jos Buttler will miss the tournament with a hamstring injury, and that shifts where England must find runs in Rawalpindi on 20 October. Joe Root and Harry Brook carry the experience, while Jordan Cox and Tom Banton chase a real chance. Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Salman Agha, who hit 107 against Sri Lanka, answer for the hosts. The contest should turn on who bats longest on a ground that scores freely, and those ten names hold the answer.

Buttler’s Exit Reshapes the Order

Buttler’s hamstring injury strips England of their most explosive finisher, and McCullum confirmed his absence on 28 September. Cox kept wicket at The Oval the day before and made 76 from 52 balls, while Banton hit 126 from 105 in the same game. Both now have a strong argument for a place, and the selectors will notice.

England’s order therefore leans on Root, who has 422 runs from five innings in 2026. Brook adds the speed, because his strike rate of 104.94 is the highest on the list below. Duckett and Jacks complete a top six with both power and range. Without Buttler, the pressure on that group only grows.

Pakistan vs England ODI tri-series 2026 batters

Only Babar and Root average above 50 in this group, and Brook is the lone batter striking above 104. Those two measures show the balance of the contest, with Pakistan owning the steadier names and England owning the faster scorers.

The recent scores matter just as much as the career numbers. Salman’s 107 and Babar’s 69 are the best recent knocks on the home side, while Duckett’s five-ball duck on 27 September shows how quickly England’s start can unravel.

Salman Agha and the Home Top Order

Salman arrives with a hundred from 90 balls on 18 October and a career average of 44.03. Saim Ayub fell for 7 off 8 in that game, which makes his strike rate of 99.87 a threat rather than a guarantee. Early wickets would put heavy pressure on the middle order, which has to rebuild quickly.

Babar made 69 on 30 May and holds the best average on either side. Fakhar scores at 93.15 across his career, but his last five scores read 16, 55, 78, 32 and 0, and his average across 30 recent ODIs sits at 39.8. Form is a real question for Pakistan’s selectors and fans alike.

Root, Brook and Banton’s Challenge

Root has the stronger name, yet his latest score was 18 off 37, so England cannot assume anything. Brook made 77 from 66 balls in the same game and scores faster than anyone else listed. If Brook stays in, Pakistan’s bowlers must find a plan quickly.

Jacks offers another mix, with 725 runs at 34.52 and 46 not out from 47 balls on 22 September. Duckett averages 41.74 with a strike rate close to 100, and he can punish any loose new-ball over in the first powerplay. Banton averages 42.33 across ten ODIs and scored 126 in his last big outing.

Rawalpindi Scoring and Squad Depth

Rawalpindi has played high, with first innings averaging 262.3 and second innings 260.8 over the last ten games. Pakistan also have Saad Baig, who kept wicket on 18 October and has 313 List A runs at 34.77. Ghori’s List A average of 11.66 offers far less comfort.

England lead the head-to-head 57 to 32 across 92 ODIs, with three no results. Root has 835 runs in the fixture and Miandad 991 for Pakistan. That history shows why the Pakistan vs England ODI tri-series 2026 batters who survive the longest will decide Tuesday’s result.

Which of these ten will win the Rawalpindi duel, Babar, Salman, Root or Brook? Tell us in the comments.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Jos Buttler playing for England in the tri-series?

No, Buttler is out with a hamstring injury. Coach Brendon McCullum confirmed the absence on 28 September, leaving England without their biggest hitter and a proven finisher for the whole tournament.

Why is Mohammad Rizwan missing from Pakistan’s squad?

Hesson pointed to new combinations when he explained the decision. He spoke in May and also mentioned Bangladesh form, but no separate tri-series reason has been given.

Who is keeping wicket for England without Buttler?

Jordan Cox kept wicket at The Oval on 27 September. He scored 76 from 52 balls that day, though England have not yet named their XI for 20 October.

Is Saad Baig in Pakistan’s squad for this tournament?

Yes, Saad Baig is in the squad and kept wicket on 18 October. In List A cricket he has 313 runs from ten matches at an average of 34.77.

Who has the most ODI runs in Pakistan vs England matches?

Javed Miandad leads Pakistan with 991 ODI runs against England. Joe Root tops the England list with 835 runs, so both sides have a heavyweight in the rivalry.