England vs Pakistan 1st T20 tips and predictions: Phil to rub Salt in the wounds of Pakistan
England's Phil Salt
England's international summer beings on Wednesday night when they face Pakistan in the first of a four-match series at Headingley (1830 BST).
After a dismal defence of the 50-over World Cup in India, England now turn their focus to the shortest format with their T20 World Cup defence beginning in two weeks time.
For coach Matthew Mott and captain Jos Buttler the pressure will firmly be on, but one thing that England do have is batters in form.
One of them is Phil Salt, the opener has been in great form in the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 435 at an average of 39.55 and a strike rate of 182.0.
Headingley is a good ground for batting in white-ball cricket, the small boundaries and quick outfield could play into his hands, also he scored two hundreds during the winter tour to the West Indies, so 3/1 to be England's top runscorer looks worth a bet.
As well as Salt there's an abundance of six hitters in the England squad including Buttler, Will Jacks and hometown hero Harry Brook, so England to hit the most sixes seems a given.
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Pakistan are nursing their wounds after their own disappointing campaign in India, but Gary Kirsten has come aboard the ship and there's no doubt that there's plenty of talent in the Pakistan squad, who were defeated by Wednesday's hosts in the 2022 final.
However, their recent record against England in this format is hardly startling, losing seven of their last 10 including a 4-3 series defeat on home soil in 2022.
Shaheen Shah Afridi is undoubtedly the star of Pakistan's bowling attack and his career strike rate of 15.0 is mightily impressive and with the weather gods predicted to play a part, he could get the ball talking under the lights in Leeds.
With the weather forecast not looking good, the game looks doubtful but if it does we're predicting that England will continue their good recent record against Pakistan with a comfortable win.
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