England and Pakistan Clash in T20I Series Opener at Headingley

England vs Pakistan 1st T20I: Preview, Team News, and Live Updates

England and Pakistan will lock horns in the opening T20I of their four-match series on Wednesday at Headingley in Leeds. The match marks the start of a highly anticipated series between two of the world's top cricket nations.

Pakistan's Recent Form

Pakistan will enter the series on the back of a 2-1 T20I series victory over Ireland. Captain Babar Azam led the charge with a brilliant century in the second match, while Haris Rauf impressed with his pace and accuracy. However, the team has released pacer Hasan Ali from the squad due to fitness concerns.

England's Squad

England will be without the services of Liam Livingstone, who is recovering from a knee injury. However, the team has been bolstered by the return of several key players from the Indian Premier League (IPL), including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Phil Salt, and Sam Curran.

Key Players to Watch

England:

* Jos Buttler (wicket-keeper batsman)

* Jonny Bairstow (batsman)

* Phil Salt (batsman)

* Sam Curran (all-rounder)

* Adil Rashid (leg-spinner)

Pakistan:

* Babar Azam (captain, batsman)

* Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper batsman)

* Fakhar Zaman (batsman)

* Haris Rauf (fast bowler)

* Shaheen Afridi (fast bowler)

Match Details

* Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2023

* Time: 6:30 PM BST

* Venue: Headingley, Leeds

* Live Scorecard: [Link to live scorecard]

Tags: #EnglandCricket, #PakistanCricket, #T20ICricket, #BabarAzam, #JosButtler