ABOUT THE MATCH

After the heavy rain affected the 2nd Test match between Pakistan and England, which concluded with a draw, both sides will lock their horns on the last time in the 3rd Test match. The final Test match is scheduled to be held in Southampton on Friday (21-08-2020) at the Rose Bowl. The team England is leading the three-match Test series by 1-0 and goes into the last Test match keeping in mind they can’t afford to lose the series. The rain probability may lose a spoilsport again in the last Test match, but hope for the best.

Teams & Players’ performance Analysis:

England

It is good news for team England that James Anderson seems to regain his form and come back to give trouble to the opponent team. Without Ben Stokes, Zak Crawley performed good in the second test match and would continue the same in the 3rd Test match also. Chris Woakes along with Sam Curran has provided the team much more options with the bat and ball and proved their skills in the match.

England possible XI: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Pakistan

As far as the team of Pakistan is concerned, the players would need more good performance from their batting department, especially from the Pak team captain Azhar Ali, who has not performed well throughout the series. Babar Azam and Abid Ali could also provide that their best performances so that the batting department of the Pakistan team would certainly look more balanced. The bowling department of Pakistan is in fantastic form and there are not many worry factors in this unit.

Pakistan possible XI: Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali (c), Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah

Pitch Report:

The pitch at Southampton is expected to be fast, bouncy, and deliver much assistance to the quick-bowlers.

Weather condition:

During the match, as per the weather prediction, there is going to be overcast and help the ball swing as well.

Match Preview:

England:

  • For the second Test match, England introduced Zak Crawley to their batting unit, and immediately he has shown his efficacy. Although they are pretty good in every department, they have to look into adding Dom Bess in the team. In the last match, he didn’t get a chance to bowl a single ball.
  • The encouraging factor of team England was that the England batsmen were capable to play against Pakistani bowlers very comfortable on the last day of the 2nd Test match.
  • In the third Test match, batting is not that much easy for tram England and England should think about adding another batsman in its team.
  • In the previous test, James Anderson and Stuart Broad bowled very nicely by taking seven wickets. But Chris Woakes was not that lucky to have more wickets of Pakistan.

Pakistan:

  • In the 2nd Test match between England and Pakistan, team Pakistan fought back quite well and would be dissatisfied not to have an opportunity to bowl at the England side batsmen. Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Abbas looked very tough in the overs.
  • Once again Naseem Shah was lacking something. Team Pakistan may look to generate a change and include Sohail Khan for the last Test match. Yasir Shah performed well with the ball and will continue to be the only spinner of the team.
  • Team Pakistan had introduced Fawad Alam to strengthen the batting department but he failed to show this expertise.
  • Babar Azam is looking commanding in his place. The 72 innings of Mohammad Rizwan was looking good and a bit lucky also.

Head to head:

  • Overall Test Matches – 85
  • England won – 26
  • Pakistan won – 21
  • Draw – 38
  • Tied – 0

Team form in last 5 matches:

  • Pakistan –   L, W, L, L, D
  • England –   W, L, W, W, D

Probable top performers:

  • Pakistan – Babar Azam, Yasir Shah
  • England– Joe Root, James Anderson

Broadcast Details:

  • Tv – Sony Ten Network
  • Live Streaming – Sony Liv App
  • Match Timings – 21st August 2020 at 03:30 PM IST

Probable winning team:

As per the analysis and stats of both the teams, team England is going to get the benefit because of conditions. The fast-bowlers of the English side are going to be able to depend upon their experience and get everything that the pitch has to deliver.

In this type of condition, the batsmen of England are also going to be better equipped and trained to score. Most probably England ends the series with a winning note.