England v Pakistan: Every player’s form rated ahead of T20 World Cup final

Two teams who found form at the right time battle for the title at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday

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  PAKISTAN PLAYERS FORM GUIDE: 1) Babar Azam, 7/10 – Finally showed signs that his bat was warming up in the win over New Zealand. Stellar leadership throughout allowed his side to rebound from their opening two losses. AFP

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  2) Mohammed Rizwan, 7 – Like his opening partner, some way short of his glorious best, but was player of the match in the semi-final. AFP

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  3) Mohammed Haris, 9 – A revelation after parachuting in to replace the injured Fakhar Zaman. Only Suryakumar Yadav and Rilee Rossouw have scored more runs in the competition at a higher strike-rate and average. AP

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  4) Shan Masood, 8 – Quietly assured throughout, and was at the crease when victory was sealed in the semi-final, as well as in the group decider against Bangladesh. AP

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  5) Iftikhar Ahmed, 7 – Single-figure scores surround his two half-centuries, which he made against India and South Africa. The knock against the Proteas was particularly valuable. AFP

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  6) Mohammed Nawaz, 6 – Has gradually clawed his way back into the tournament after his horror show on opening night against India. Getty

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  7) Shadab Khan, 9 – A nominee for player of the tournament and he would be a deserving winner of it. The heartbeat of this Pakistan side. AFP

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  8) Mohammed Wasim, 7 – The most runs he has leaked in any innings so far has been 24, and he has impressed with his inswinging yorkers in the death overs. Getty

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  9) Naseem Shah, 7 – Just the three wickets in the campaign to date, but he has kept a miserly economy rate of 6. Getty

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  10) Haris Rauf, 7 – Averaging a wicket per match, and his economy rate has suffered because of the times he has to bowl. But a cup final seems the sort of stage on which he will thrive. EPA

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  11) Shaheen Afridi, 8 – The only matches he went wicketless in were Pakistan’s two losses. As his fitness has improved in the time since, his influence has grown. Getty PAKISTAN TEAM TOTAL = 82

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  ENGLAND PLAYERS FORM GUIDE: 1) Jos Buttler, 8/10 – Amazingly reliable, given how explosive his batting is. Has also shown signs that he is comfortable in the captaincy armband, in a team that still bears so many of Eoin Morgan’s fingerprints. EPA

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  2) Alex Hales, 9 – Averaging over 52. Striking at 148.59. Talk about making up for lost time, after three and a half years in the wilderness. EPA

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  3) Phil Salt/Dawid Malan, 6 – Malan did train on the eve of the final, but his participation is in doubt due to a groin strain. Salt did not get a bat when he replaced Malan for the semi-final. PA

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  4) Ben Stokes, 6 – Single-figure scores and looking out of sorts, then a canny, match-winning knock on a sticky dog in the decisive game against Sri Lanka. Solid with the ball. PA

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  5) Harry Brook, 5 – Marked himself out as a class prospect on tour to Pakistan, but has been light on time in the middle in the World Cup, with just 36 runs so far. AP

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  6) Liam Livingstone, 6 – Limited opportunities with both bat and ball till this point. PA

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  7) Moeen Ali, 6 – He has been the forgotten man of the side so far with just two overs bowled, and 38 runs across four innings. Has a liking for the biggest stage, though. AFP

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  8) Sam Curran, 9 – Another nominee for player of the tournament. Most spectacular return was his five for 10 v Afghanistan. Of greater value has been the excellence of his death bowling throughout. Getty

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  9) Chris Woakes, 7 – Mr Consistency: three times in this competition he has returned figures of one for 24. AFP

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  10) Chris Jordan/Mark Wood, 7 – Both the fast bowlers have leaked runs but taken crucial wickets. Jordan, who might deputise again for the injured Wood, has also had a bearing on games which he has not started, as a sub fielder. AFP

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  11) Adil Rashid, 8 – Only two wickets in the tournament, but one of them was Suryakumar Yadav, and as the pressure has ramped up, the more he has thrived. EPA ENGLAND TOTAL = 77

Neither England nor Pakistan topped their group in the T20 World Cup, yet each roared into Sunday’s final with rousing semi-final wins.

Pakistan’s misfiring top order has meant their middle order have had more opportunities to show their worth than has been the case for much of the recent past.

They have responded well, meaning that, between the two potential starting XIs for the final, it is Pakistan who have more players in form.

In the photo gallery above, we have rated each of the sides based on the form they have shown throughout the competition. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.