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Pakistan vs England | 2026 Tri-Series (ODI) | Rawalpindi, Pakistan | 20 October 2026 | 1:00 pm PKT
Jofra Archer has been rested for workload, so England reach Rawalpindi without their fastest weapon. Adil Rashid takes the lead role with 14 wickets this year, while Gus Atkinson, Sam Curran and Liam Dawson fill the roles around him. Pakistan trust Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, all of whom bowled against Sri Lanka on 18 October. On a ground that rewards batting, these nine names will shape the result. Pace will decide the early overs and spin the late ones, so every spell counts.
Archer was rested for workload and is not in the squad, which removes the quickest option from England’s plan. He took 12 wickets in 2026, second on the English list behind Rashid, so his absence leaves a visible gap at the top of the attack. England will need others to share that load from the first over.
Crane, a 29-year-old leg-spinner, has no ODI caps and only one Test and two T20Is to his name. Whether he plays on 20 October is unconfirmed, so the spin duties are likely to fall to Rashid and Dawson in the middle overs. That makes the pair vital for keeping the run rate in check.
Nine bowlers can shape the game, and the table shows how they compare. Naseem was the most economical Pakistan quick at 4.30 on 18 October, while Shaheen went at 5.50 and Rauf at 5.24. Rauf also leads the group with 16 wickets across 12 months, a sign of how often he strikes.
On the visiting side, Dawson and Overton have the tightest recent figures at 3.25 and 3.33, whereas Tongue leaks 7.14 an over. Rashid, with 14 wickets in the past year and an economy of 4.90, is the safest source of middle-overs wickets. That spread in economy will guide how each captain rotates his options.
| Bowler | Team | Style | Economy | Wickets (12 months) |
| Shaheen Afridi | PAK | Left-arm fast | 5.50 (18 Oct) | 14 |
| Naseem Shah | PAK | Right-arm fast | 4.30 (18 Oct) | 11 |
| Haris Rauf | PAK | Right-arm fast | 5.24 (18 Oct) | 16 |
| Gus Atkinson | ENG | Right-arm fast | 5.20 (27 Sep) | 10 |
| Josh Tongue | ENG | Right-arm fast-medium | 7.14 (24 Sep) | 2 |
| Sam Curran | ENG | Left-arm fast-medium | 5.71 | 10 |
| Jamie Overton | ENG | Right-arm fast | 3.33 (27 Sep) | 5 |
| Adil Rashid | ENG | Right-arm leg-spin | 4.90 | 14 |
| Liam Dawson | ENG | Slow left-arm | 3.25 (27 Sep) | 6 |
Shaheen took 3 for 55 against Sri Lanka and owns 149 ODI wickets at a career economy of 5.56. He leads the attack, and England will test his new-ball spell hard, and see him as the wicket that opens the match. Naseem returned 2 for 43 at 4.30, the best rate among the home quicks that day.
Rauf claimed 2 for 48 and has roughly 105 ODI wickets to his name. Abrar adds spin, with 35 wickets and an economy of 4, so Pakistan hold both pace and control. That balance gives the hosts more options than their opponents have, and it lets the captain change plans at will.
Atkinson has 21 career wickets and took 2 for 26 on 27 September at an economy of 5.20. He must lead the pace group in Archer’s absence. Curran has 10 wickets and an economy of 5.71, which adds left-arm variety to the mix. A strong first spell from him would settle the visiting group early.
Overton took 2 for 21 on 22 September and offers raw pace, though his economy touched 7.50 back in January. Tongue returned 1 for 23 on 22 September and has just two wickets in the past year, which suggests a smaller role. England will weigh his pace against that cost before naming the XI.
Rashid has 243 ODI wickets, and Dawson has 12, including 3 for 26 on 27 September at an economy of 3.25. Together they give England a thrifty and experienced spin pair on a ground where first innings average 262.3 and second innings 260.8 across the last ten games.
England lead the head-to-head 57 to 32 across 92 ODIs, with three no results. That record matters, but in the Pakistan vs England ODI tri-series 2026, bowlers who control the first ten overs will have the final say.
Which bowler will win the Rawalpindi battle, Shaheen, Rashid, or someone unexpected? Drop your pick in the comments.
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Why is Jofra Archer not playing in the tri-series?
Archer is rested for workload reasons and is not in the squad. He took 12 wickets in 2026, second only to Adil Rashid among England bowlers.
Who is Crane in England’s tri-series squad?
Crane is a 29-year-old leg-spinner with no ODI caps. He has played one Test and two T20Is for England, so he has never played an ODI for the national side.
Which Pakistan bowler has the most ODI wickets?
Shaheen Afridi leads Pakistan’s pacers with 149 ODI wickets. Haris Rauf follows with just over 100, while Abrar has 35 wickets at an economy of 4 in the format.
Who is England’s captain for the tri-series?
Harry Brook is England’s captain for the tri-series. He leads a side missing Jos Buttler to injury and Archer to rest, which hands him extra responsibility with the bat.
What time does Pakistan play England on 20 October?
The match starts at 1:00 pm PKT on 20 October. That is 2:00 pm in Bangladesh time, so fans in both countries can follow the action live from the opening ball.
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