Ahead of this crucial match, veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has provided strategic advice to the Salman Ali Agha-led team, focusing on how England spin duo Rashid and Liam Dawson. Ashwin believes the tactical blueprint for success has already been laid down by an unlikely source: the Nepalese cricket team.
T20 World Cup 2026: R Ashwin explains Pakistan’s path to success against England in Pallekele
Ashwin has urged Pakistan to reintegrate Fakhar Zaman in their middle order, specifically to counter the threat posed by England’s spinners in the middle overs. Although Zaman has had a quiet tournament so far, Ashwin highlights his superior technical ability to deal with high quality spin through aggressive footwork and use of the sweep shot.
By promoting the left-hander, Pakistan could disrupt the rhythm of Rashid, who has already taken eight wickets in the tournament but remains susceptible to batters targeting the square boundaries. Ashwin points to Nepal’s performance on February 8 where their batters targeted Rashid ruthlessly, forcing him to a wicketless spell of 0/42 in just three overs. This aggressive approach forced England into a defensive shell and almost resulted in one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history.
“If Pakistan are serious about this World Cup campaign, they should think about giving Fakhar Zaman a chance in the middle order. He can sweep and use his feet against Rashid and Dawson to inflict serious damage through the middle overs. This was Nepal’s formula for success against Rashid and there are some key lessons that the other teams can try to pick up. Move to the square boundaries to earn balls in the step hit zone.” Ashwin wrote on X.
If Pakistan are serious about this World Cup campaign, they should think about giving Fakhar Zaman a chance in the middle order.
He can sweep and use his feet against Rashid and Dawson to do serious damage through the middle overs.
These were Nepal’s formulas for success… pic.twitter.com/QMAhQm2GZR
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 24, 2026
READ also: ENG vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report, T20I Stats and Records
A must-win Super 8 clash looms for Pakistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup
The Pallekele match is essentially a must-win for Pakistan after their opening match in the Super 8 New Zealand was abandoned due to rain, leaving them with just one point. England, meanwhile, go into the match with immense confidence after a 51-run demolition of Sri Lanka, where Will Jacks And Jofra Sagittarius proved deadly in the power game.
Pakistan’s hopes are pinned on the form of Sahibzada Farhanwho leads the tournament scoring chart with 220 runs and a spin-heavy attack Usman Tariq And Abra Ahmed. However, as Ashwin points out, the key to victory in battle lies on the middle order; if Pakistan can use Zaman to ‘gain access to the step-hit zone’, they may finally find the formula to halt England’s unbeaten run in the Super 8s.
Also READ: PAK vs ENG, T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match prediction – Who will win today’s match between Pakistan and England?
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