England prepare their build-up to next year's ODI World Cup in South Africa with a Tri-Series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan will play host, and Harry Brook's side will begin their campaign - where each team plays the other twice before a grand final - with a showdown versus the home team at Rawalpindi, on 20th October.
Coming off the back of a successful summer of cricket, the Three Lions are moulding into a fearsome ODI side, beginning to form a strong nucleus of white-ball players under Brendon McCullum.
Meanwhile, Pakistan, who were in their opponent's shores not so long ago, began the three-team tournament with a 37-run win over Sri Lanka.
Salman Agha starred with a 90-ball 107, illustrating his prowess after a testing time in the other formats. He began the three-match series deputising as Test skipper during England's whitewash, yet was axed from the squad long before the curtain came down on the tour.
The latest Pakistan vs England ODI odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Pakistan to rely on their pace
And while Agha rightfully drew the plaudits, it was the all-round display from the pacers that led to a fruitful victory for the hosts.
It has and will be a feature of this series - pacy, bouncy wickets to replicate the conditions that the teams may endear in South Africa next year.
Pakistan's skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi himself headlined the act with a wonderful 3-55, and the onus will be on him to remove England's dangerous top order. His partners Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf all scalped a brace of wickets.
They embodied graciously what the 1992 title-winning Pakistan team had - speed and swing at utmost control. It well and truly will be a battle between them and England's batting muscle.
Also read: South Africa vs Australia: 2nd Test Preview, Predictions and Betting Tips
Buoyant England could outscore Pakistan
The noise around the England side often supplies evidence to what's clicking and what's not, especially off the field.
If England’s back-to-back 2–1 ODI series victories over India and Sri Lanka are any indicator, the 2019 world champions look primed and well-balanced ahead of a gruelling schedule.
Their pace battery, even without Jofra Archer (rested), has variety in bowlers who hit the deck, skid off the surface, bowl from awkward angles, and enjoy the slog overs.
The same goes for the batting, which comprises of the perfect blend of youthful zest and experience. Star man Joe Root is 97 runs away from becoming the first England batter to 8,000 ODI runs.
Total Runs - Away Team, Over 1: Over 3.5
The new-found opening pair of Tom Banton and Ben Duckett are fast starters.
In each of their last three one-dayers, they have struck a boundary in the very first over. Each of these set of opening overs has yielded five runs or more.
On a track that witnessed over 570 runs last time out, expect the tourists to get off the blocks quickly.
Recommended Bet: Total Runs - Away Team, Over 1: Over 3.5
Total Match Sixes - Over 14.5
When the England batters get going, they usually deal in maximums. For a side that would have either Sam Curran or Jamie Overton batting at six-drop, there will be plenty of attacking intent on display.
Pakistan themselves cleared the ropes seven times in the series opener, and if their openers find their feet in the middle, the same could follow on a Rawalpindi surface that provides value for shot-making.
Recommended Bet: Total Match Sixes - Over 14.5
