Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur believes his "fearless" side have everything to gain when they face an "under the pump" England in the first Test at Lord's on Thursday.
England will be looking for some much-needed home comfort after recent winless Test tours of Australia and New Zealand extended their poor away record in cricket's longest format to 13 matches without a victory.
Pakistan, by contrast, enter this two-match campaign on the back of a morale-boosting five-wicket win over Test debutants Ireland at Malahide last week.
"We haven't come here not to win," Arthur told reporters at Lord's on Tuesday.
"It's a changing room full of very, very skilled cricketers, very young cricketers, fearless cricketers. If we get the breaks and things go our way, they will certainly put England under pressure."
England, in their first Test since Ed Smith became their new head selector, continue to have doubts over a batting order where captain Joe Root has been promoted to number three, wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow to five and Jos Buttler recalled at seven.
And with Jack Leach injured, England could give a Test debut to his fellow Somerset spinner Dominic Bess.
"In their home conditions, England are a different team to England abroad," said Arthur. "We've had a look obviously at Buttler, he adds an attacking side to England."
Two years ago, England were held to a 2-2 home draw by Pakistan in a four-Test series.
Since then veteran batsmen Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan have both retired, with Pakistan hoping the likes of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq can fill the void.
But it is Imam-ul-Haq, the nephew of Pakistan selection chief and former Test batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has made three fifties from as many games this tour -- including a match-clinching innings against Ireland.
"He's a totally different character to Inzi," said Arthur of Imam, a 22-year-old left-handed opener, who is somewhat quicker between the wickets than his celebrated uncle.
"He played beautifully for us, under pressure, against Ireland in his Test debut."
Arthur believes Pakistan are fitter now than when he took over two years ago and more aggressive with it.
"We are an incredibly fit unit. The guys have trained unbelievably hard, not that we weren't coming in 2016 but that was the start of almost the fitness regime," he said.
"The brand of cricket we are playing is certainly more attacking. We felt we needed to change with the times and get another bowler in," the former South Africa and Australia coach explained of a side captained by wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed.
Much could depend on Pakistan left-arm quick Mohammad Amir, who has enjoyed Test success and a Champions Trophy triumph in England, as well as a 2017 County Championship title with Essex, since his career was almost ended by his involvement in a spot-fixing scandal at Lord's during the 2010 tour.
If the 20-year-old Bess plays he won't be the youngest slow bowler in the match, with 19-year-old Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan replacing the injured Yasir Shah.
England appear set to decide between seam-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes and injury-prone fast bowler Mark Wood for the last place in their XI, with one of pacemen Rahat Ali or Hasan Ali dropped from Pakistan's 12-man squad.
"There will be an Ali playing!" joked Arthur.
Meanwhile Buttler was well aware of the threat posed by Pakistan, whose last Test at Lord's saw them beat England by 75 runs.
"They've lost some experience, but as we saw in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan are a very strong side," he said.
England will field a trio of Test veterans in opener Alastair Cook and the new-ball duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson.
"With all that comes a lot of responsibility and accountability," said Arthur. "A couple are under the pump.
"Our guys don't fear that at the moment. They are looking to grab the opportunity with both hands.
"I just hope they do because if they do it solidifies exactly what we want to do with Pakistan cricket."
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‘Fearless’ Pakistan ready to put England under pressure
‘Fearless’ Pakistan ready to put England under pressure
- Arthur believes Pakistan are fitter now than when he took over two years ago and more aggressive with it.
- "With all that comes a lot of responsibility and accountability," said Arthur.
New Zealand looks to its batting depth, game-breakers at the T20 World Cup
The Black Caps’ best effort in nine World Cups was in 2021 when they were well beaten by Australia in the final
The latest T20 World Cup starts Saturday in India and Sri Lanka over the next month
WELLINGTON, New Zealand: New Zealand will lean heavily on its batting depth and proven match-winners to balance a depleted attack as it attempts to win the T20 World Cup for the first time.
The Black Caps’ best effort in nine World Cups was in 2021 when they were well beaten by Australia in the final.
That record reflects New Zealand’s love-hate relationship with a format to which it seems well adapted with its high percentage of allrounders. New Zealand played the first-ever T20 international, against Australia, and its win-loss record in around 260 internationals is roughly 50 percent.
The latest T20 World Cup starts Saturday in India and Sri Lanka over the next month.
New Zealand heads into the tournament on the back of a humbling T20 series loss to India in India. In the fifth game, New Zealand conceded a record 271-5, which included a century from 40 balls by Ishan Kishan.
New Zealand’s weakened bowling attack was under the pump throughout the series. In the third match, India chased down New Zealand’s 153-9 with only two wickets down and 10 overs remaining.
Asked at the end of the series if there was anything New Zealand could have done to contain the Indian batters, skipper Mitchell Santner joked, “Maybe push the boundaries back a little bit!”
But Santner was happy with the intelligence New Zealand gained from the India series ahead of its World Cup opener against Afghanistan at Chennai.
“We look at the series as a whole. We learned a lot of good stuff,” Santner said. “It’s not easy as a bowling unit. We’ve got to find ways against very good batters.”
New Zealand will ask much of the 31-year-old pacer Jacob Duffy, who will be playing at his first T20 World Cup. Duffy had an extraordinary breakout season in 2025, taking 81 wickets in a calendar year to break the New Zealand record held by Richard Hadlee. He is the No. 4-ranked T20 bowler in the world.
Apart from Duffy, the New Zealand pace lineup includes Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson, who came in as a late replacement for the injured Adam Milne. Ben Sears is the traveling reserve and may see action as Henry and Ferguson may both take short breaks for paternity leave.
Santner and Ish Sodhi are the main spin options, with Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Michael Bracewell providing backup.
Sodhi said the batters spent time facing spin in their tournament preparation.
“At training the boys wanted to face spinners and see what their boundary and single options were, so it was really cool that everyone is training specifically for that,” he said.
New Zealand’s strong batting lineup comprises of Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra and Tim Seifert. Seifert will also keep wicket while the allrounders Jimmy Neesham, who provides an extra pace option, Bracewell and Phillips balance the squad.
“We’ve got plenty of power and skill in the batting, quality bowlers who can adapt to conditions plus five allrounders who all bring something slightly different,” New Zealand coach Rob Walter said.
“This is an experienced group and the players are no strangers to playing in the subcontinent, which will be valuable.”
New Zealand’s squad includes players with franchise experience around the world who bring a match-winning element.
Allen has a strike rate of 165.45 in T20 internationals and 175.23 in domestic or franchise T20 cricket.
Phillips has a strike rate of 141.56 in international T20s and provides athleticism in the field, reflected by his 52 catches.
“World Cups are special and there’s few better places to play one than in India, which is very much the heartbeat of the modern game,” Walter said. “I’m really happy with the skills and experience of this squad. We have a group which can make New Zealand proud.”
New Zealand is drawn in Group D with Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa and the UAE.
The latest T20 World Cup starts Saturday in India and Sri Lanka over the next month
WELLINGTON, New Zealand: New Zealand will lean heavily on its batting depth and proven match-winners to balance a depleted attack as it attempts to win the T20 World Cup for the first time.
The Black Caps’ best effort in nine World Cups was in 2021 when they were well beaten by Australia in the final.
That record reflects New Zealand’s love-hate relationship with a format to which it seems well adapted with its high percentage of allrounders. New Zealand played the first-ever T20 international, against Australia, and its win-loss record in around 260 internationals is roughly 50 percent.
The latest T20 World Cup starts Saturday in India and Sri Lanka over the next month.
New Zealand heads into the tournament on the back of a humbling T20 series loss to India in India. In the fifth game, New Zealand conceded a record 271-5, which included a century from 40 balls by Ishan Kishan.
New Zealand’s weakened bowling attack was under the pump throughout the series. In the third match, India chased down New Zealand’s 153-9 with only two wickets down and 10 overs remaining.
Asked at the end of the series if there was anything New Zealand could have done to contain the Indian batters, skipper Mitchell Santner joked, “Maybe push the boundaries back a little bit!”
But Santner was happy with the intelligence New Zealand gained from the India series ahead of its World Cup opener against Afghanistan at Chennai.
“We look at the series as a whole. We learned a lot of good stuff,” Santner said. “It’s not easy as a bowling unit. We’ve got to find ways against very good batters.”
New Zealand will ask much of the 31-year-old pacer Jacob Duffy, who will be playing at his first T20 World Cup. Duffy had an extraordinary breakout season in 2025, taking 81 wickets in a calendar year to break the New Zealand record held by Richard Hadlee. He is the No. 4-ranked T20 bowler in the world.
Apart from Duffy, the New Zealand pace lineup includes Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson, who came in as a late replacement for the injured Adam Milne. Ben Sears is the traveling reserve and may see action as Henry and Ferguson may both take short breaks for paternity leave.
Santner and Ish Sodhi are the main spin options, with Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Michael Bracewell providing backup.
Sodhi said the batters spent time facing spin in their tournament preparation.
“At training the boys wanted to face spinners and see what their boundary and single options were, so it was really cool that everyone is training specifically for that,” he said.
New Zealand’s strong batting lineup comprises of Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra and Tim Seifert. Seifert will also keep wicket while the allrounders Jimmy Neesham, who provides an extra pace option, Bracewell and Phillips balance the squad.
“We’ve got plenty of power and skill in the batting, quality bowlers who can adapt to conditions plus five allrounders who all bring something slightly different,” New Zealand coach Rob Walter said.
“This is an experienced group and the players are no strangers to playing in the subcontinent, which will be valuable.”
New Zealand’s squad includes players with franchise experience around the world who bring a match-winning element.
Allen has a strike rate of 165.45 in T20 internationals and 175.23 in domestic or franchise T20 cricket.
Phillips has a strike rate of 141.56 in international T20s and provides athleticism in the field, reflected by his 52 catches.
“World Cups are special and there’s few better places to play one than in India, which is very much the heartbeat of the modern game,” Walter said. “I’m really happy with the skills and experience of this squad. We have a group which can make New Zealand proud.”
New Zealand is drawn in Group D with Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa and the UAE.
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