T20 World Cup 2022 Final: England vs Pakistan at MCG in Melbourne: Nov 13, 2022 - Match Preview
England are on a roll now having handed India an absolute shellacking in the semi final at Adelaide but they'll now come up against a dangerous Pakistan side who seem to be peaking at the right moment. Both teams had to win their last group game to go through to the semi finals but both put on clinical performances once they got there. They have had a pretty similar Road to the Finals as well!
Jos Buttler and Alex Hales put up the highest partnership at an ICC Men's T20 World Cup with their 170 run unbeaten stand routing India. These two will be the biggest danger for Pakistan but even if they get early wickets, there's the dangerous Phil Salt at 3, the experienced Ben Stokes at 4 and then the versatile Liam Livingstone at 5 awaiting them. England has a very long batting order with Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan all of whom can whack the ball.
If any bowling line up can stop the English batting blitzkrieg then you'll want to certainly bet on the Pakistan one. With Shaheen Shah Afridi having found his rhythm again, he'll be a dangerous customer at the beginning with the swinging ball. Naseem Shah has the pace while Haris Rauf has been bowling with fire right through the tournament. Then there's Mohammad Wasim who seems to be a very good bowler at the death with his yorkers and in the middle overs. Pakistan also has Shadab Khan for the middle overs as a genuine wicket taking option. Nawaz is another option in the middle overs, he was good against England when these two teams faced each other recently.
Chris Jordan did relatively well against India despite going for runs at the back end but England will be hoping that their pace sensation Mark Wood is fit for the big final. Sam Curran also leaked runs for the first time in the tournament against India and would be looking to get back to his miserly ways in the final. Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone jointly bowled 7 hugely impactful overs for just 41 runs against India and Pakistan would be well advised to not let that repeat, is just a recipe for disaster. Woakes and Stokes will also play an important role with the ball under cloudy Melbourne skies.
Pakistan batting has floundered and stuttered right through the tournament but with the introduction of the dynamic Haris at number 3 and with their prolific openers Babar and Rizwan finding form in the semi final against New Zealand, means they've finally got a functioning top 3. Shan Masood, Mohammad Nawaz, Ifthikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan have all contributed to the batting at various points during the tournament.
Key Battles: England vs Pakistan
Chris Woakes vs Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan
Shaheen Shah Afridi vs Jos Buttler and Alex Hales
Shadab Khan vs Liam Livingstone
Adil Rashid vs Mohammad Haris
These two teams met just before the World Cup began in a long 7 match series in Pakistan as a preparation for the big event. The series ebbed and flowed and was a closely contested one with England eking out a 4-3 win in the deciding last match held at Lahore. The two teams know each other well and it should be a great contest at the MCG, weather permitting.
Melbourne Weather Forecast for England v Pakistan T20 World Cup Final 2022
Weather for Sunday in Melbourne doesn't look too promising with an almost 90% chance for rain throughout the day. Thunderstorms are also predicted. The weather for the reserve day, Monday, is slightly better but still there's rain predicted through the morning and afternoon.
Probable England XI
Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingstone, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood/ Chris Jordan
Probable Pakistan XI
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim
Top 5 Fantasy Picks for England v Pakistan at MCG, Melbourne
Ben Stokes
Sam Curran
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Jos Buttler
Babar Azam
The match will start at 01.30 PM IST (streamed live on Disney Hotstar app & on TV on Star Sports 1)
Will Pakistan repeat the feat from 1992? Will England reverse the result from 30 years ago? Or will the famous Melbourne weather have the last laugh?
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