The Cricketer runs down the who, what, where, when, why, which channel and how wet it will be as the 20-over format returns
After the Test series, Pakistan's tour of England concludes with three T20 internationals as preparations for the next T20 World Cup resume.
FIRST T20I: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester (Friday, August 28, 6pm BST)
SECOND T20I: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester (Sunday, August 30, 2pm BST)
THIRD T20I: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester (Tuesday, September 1, 6pm BST)
England were meant to be gearing up to complete the white-ball World Cup double, but instead, they begin preparations for the tournament still another 14 months away in India.
Eoin Morgan's men were far from convincing during the ODI series against Ireland and much of that squad returns knowing they must up the intensity of they're to come away as winners.
They have won their last four multi-game T20 series in a row, overcoming New Zealand (via a super over in the decider) and then South Africa over the winter. That followed wins in Sri Lanka and West Indies. They return home hoping to continue that run.
The two teams have not faced off in a bilateral T20 series for five years, playing one-off 20-over games in 2016 and at the start of last summer, when England prevailed in Cardiff.
Naturally, the dynamic of this fan-friendly format will be entirely different with all matches at Emirates Old Trafford played behind-closed-doors. For many of these players, whether it be from the PSL or the Test series, will be used to the lack of atmosphere, but nevertheless it'll be another reminder of the sacrifices made to get these matches on.
Joe Denly remains in England's white-ball thoughts
The hosts are without any of the Test squad, with Joe Root, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler all rested following their red-ball schedule. They could return, alongside Chris Woakes, for the white-ball matches against Australia.
Joe Denly is back in the fold after a back injury curtailed his involvement in the Ireland series. James Vince has been dropped after struggling in those exchanges, while Dawid Malan makes the cut.
Chris Jordan returns after injury, Lewis Gregory is back in and there are places for Liam Livingstone, Reece Topley and Pat Brown in the reserve list.
England squad: Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey
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Some of Pakistan's squad will have been in England for two months by the time they hit or bowl a ball in competitive anger. The main group arrived in the UK in late June, and with only 12 of the 29 who have travelled used in the Test series, it has been a long summer in the bio-secure bubble with only intra-squad matches to keep them occupied.
With many of their players having featured in the PSL, which was curtailed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many of the squad have at least had recent 20-over outings, even if they were five months ago. They also beat Bangladesh 2-0 in their last international series, having been beaten in Australia.
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Having flattered to deceive on their last white-ball outings in England, in both the ODI series and the subsequent World Cup which led to a root and branch review of the set-up, Pakistan will be keen to show things have changed.
Babar Azam will lead the group, with Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez and even former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed still part of the squad. But some areas have been totally refreshed including a seam attack which could blow England away.
Haris Rauf emerged as a world-class quick during the Big Bash League, while Shaheen Afridi - who was only used in dispatches last summer - is joined by fellow-teenager Nassem Shah who is braced for his international debut in the format. Add Wahab Riaz to the equation and the canny Mohammad Amir and suddenly you have one of the quickest battery of seamers in the world.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz
Haris Rauf has forced his way into contention since the Big Bash
For the first T20, morning and afternoon rain will have cleared in time meaning a full match should be possible.
Come the second match of the series, the inclement weather should have cleared leading to a day of sunshine in the north west.
But the rain is set to return for the concluding game of the tour, which could lead to a washout.
Sky Sports be showing all three T20s via Sky Sports Main Event (Sky 401, Virgin 501) and Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Virgin 504). Footage can also be accessed by Now TV and Sky Go.
Meanwhile, for the first time in 21 years, the BBC will show live international cricket involving England. The broadcaster have the rights to show two T20s per year as part of the new rights deal which runs from 2020-2024. In this series, they will be showing the second T20 on BBC One and via the BBC Sport website. They will also have highlights of the series.
Sony Six and Sony ESPN will broadcast the matches in India, while SonyLiv will take charge of showing the games across the rest of the sub-continent including in Pakistan.
In Australia, Fox Sports and streaming service Kayo will show the matches while Supersport will be the main broadcaster in South Africa.
For those without access to digital or satellite television, Test Match Special will have live radio commentary of the series via BBC Radio 4 LW and BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra.
Odds will appear when available
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