NICK HOWSON: From the players available for the three-match series, who makes up the perfect team from the two nations?
Put simply, the Lahore-born opener is already one of the best T20 international players in history. Only Virat Kohli has a better average in the format's history, with Babar scoring at 50.72 in 38 matches. Like his Indian rival, the only thing missing from his CV in the 20-over game is a three-figure score, and with conditions somewhat benign this could be a chance to break his duck.
For all the criticism that the Yorkshireman gets for his Test match technique, he is a class act with the white-ball in his midst. He can be a thunderous striker of a cricket ball, an expert in sending it back past the bowler without the need for flamboyance. Bairstow is a throwback in a format which prides itself on invention. With Jason Roy absent, he leads this side at the top.
That Pakistan sought to fly the 38-year-old in just for this series, meaning he has avoided much of the tedium of the bio-secure bubble, says plenty about his influence on this team. Bouncing around the world in various franchise leagues has paid off and he is very much back in the fray for this Pakistan T20 side. Key with the bat and coy with the ball, Shoaib is the ideal influence for an otherwise young group. Could go to 10,000 T20 runs during the series.
England opener Jason Roy out of Pakistan T20 series
The Irishman has led the reinvention of England's white-ball fortunes over the last five years - he might be the most important skipper of any international side on the planet right now. He leads by example with the bat and has scored at a strike-rate above 170 for the past two years. Completing the limited-overs double in India next year would be the cherry on the icing.
Has only recently returned to this T20 side after playing 10 times between 2015 and 2018. Has yet to truly shine with the bat but he is a reliable presence behind the stumps and was one of the players of the Test series. The white-ball presents a different challenge, but the 28-year-old is up to the task. Expect scrutiny having edged Sarfaraz Ahmed out of the team but if this tour has taught us anything it is that Rizwan can cope with pressure.
Too often the scapegoat for England's failures of the past but it would take a fool to right-off Moeen's ability to influence in the 20-over game. There are few better ball-strikers in world cricket and when he gets going England have a high-quality finisher at their disposal. Hasn't scored better than 39 since 2016 but this is a prime opportunity to better that, particularly if moved up as England trial new top three combinations.
Moeen is back to continue the rebuilding of his international career
That he is being touted for a Test recall says plenty about how important Rashid has become to the England team. The first spinner to take 150 ODI wickets deserves respect, with his variations causing havoc. If he doesn't get you with the googly or the flipper, his change of flight or pace surely will. Now fully fit after shoulder issues, he is arguably the most important figure in England's attempts at winning the World Cup in India next year.
That England have sought to recall the Sussex seamer at the first available opportunity following his biceps surgery tells you everything you need to know about his importance to this outfit. A fine death bowler, a lower-order batsman able to clear the rope and among the best fielders either at slip or off his own bowling around; it is impossible to keep the 31-year-old out of the game.
His relationship with England might forever be associated with a single Test at Lord's, but the 28-year-old has done his best to distance himself from his previous errors. He is adept in English conditions, having impressed in the Blast for Essex and helped win the 50-over Champions Trophy for Pakistan, and he's back to cause more problems. Won't be a new face for England's batsman, but a threatening one nonetheless.
Can Wahab Riaz cause England more nightmares?
The teenager got a bit of a pasting on his last white-ball series against England, but he enjoyed a fine climax to the World Cup - proof that with faith and persistence Afridi can prevail. Showed discipline in the Test series and will give the likes of Morgan and Ali plenty to think about given his success around the wicket to left-handers. An infectious operator who could dominate this series
The 35-year-old injects yet more drama and intrigue into this Pakistan seam attack. With the capacity to top 90mph, he can cause problems with his velocity and bounce. Wahab bowled Pakistan to victory in their last white-ball meeting with England in the World Cup, taking 3-82 which included dismissing Bairstow and Ali. Now back in the T20 fold - another Test outing could follow in the future - theatre and fireworks follow his every move.
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