ISLAMABAD: England won the toss and elected to put Pakistan to bat first, as the two sides lock horns today, Thursday, at The Oval for the fourth and last T20I match before both teams leave for the United States to take part in the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan’s preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held next month in the United States and the West Indies, have been anything but impressive. The green shirts lost 4-1 to New Zealand in an away series in January before drawing 2-2 against a second-string New Zealand side in a home series in April.
The green shirts then scraped a 2-1 series victory over Ireland this month but still lag 1-0 behind England in the four-match T20I series. Two matches of the series were abandoned due to rain.
“Toss: England won and decided to bowl,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
Pakistan said all-rounder Imad Wasim is not playing in Thursday’s match after experiencing discomfort in his rib cage.
“While batting in the nets during Wednesday’s training session, he experienced discomfort in his right rib cage. He was sent for a preventative scan as advised by the PCB medical panel,” the cricket board said.
The PCB said Wasim is expected to be fit before Pakistan begins its World Cup campaign next month.
“The panel is actively monitoring Imad’s progress and will provide further update if deemed necessary,” the PCB said.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Usman Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah
England: Jonny Bairstow, Phil Salt (wk), Will Jacks, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali (c), Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Mark Wood
