Pakistan v England, first T20: live KP will bat at the top of the order for England, who find room for some exciting youngsters in the middle of their line-up: Bairstow and Buttler are both in. But no place for the in-form Cook. England: KP Pietersen, C Kieswetter†, RS Bopara, EJG Morgan, JM Bairstow, JC Buttler, SR Patel, SCJ Broad*, GP Swann, JW Dernbach, ST Finn. Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Awais Zia, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal†, Misbah-ul-Haq*, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Hammad Azam, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan. Blimey, Misbah concedes in interview that the team are a bit homesick. 15.30 Tough match to predict, and no mistake. With 31 wins (lost 18) in their T20 history, Pakistan are the leading side in the format. England have won 21 and lost 18. But it is England who are the World Champs in the format; and this is the first of seven games before they defend their title. 15.25 As ever, England are in the throes of preparing for another ICC tournament, the next staging post being the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka this September. They'll be hoping to get at a couple of progressive sorts with that in mind: perhaps Nottinghamshire right-handed batsman Alex Hales; or another chance for Danny Briggs and Jos Buttler, both of whom won their ODI caps on Tuesday? Pakistan fans are excited about left-hander Awais Zia, who is said to be quite a sight when in full flow with the bat. They're calling him 'The New Boom Boom'. 15.15 Afternoon all, Alan Tyers here, in sole control of today's OBO, not sure where Jonathan Liew is. Perhaps celebrating being shortlisted as Best Young Journalist in the British Sports Journalist Awards. Well done Jonathan. Well, we've had the Tests, we've had the ODIs, so it now logically follows that we have the Twenty20s. By "logically," I mean "oddly." Anyway, here we are, eyes down for the first of three T20s between England and Pakistan. As you will of course know, England hammered Pakistan in the ODIs which somewhat (well, a tiny biy) made up for getting mashed in the Tests. It's all whitewashes these days, isn't it? Not seen the team news yet, but you'll have it as soon as I do. The chatter seems to be that Ali Cook will play; Stuart Broad of course stays as captain. Meantime, let's bring you an insight into the ultra-professional world of the England cricket team.