Liam Dawson has insisted he cannot be compared to Adil Rashid despite replacing England's frontline spinner in the ongoing Pakistan tri-series. Rashid, who has played 165 ODIs for England, needs 26 more dismissals to become the nation's all-time leading one-day wicket-taker. The 36-year-old Dawson, who has featured in 13 ODIs, was brought into the side for England's matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan after Rashid missed September's three-match ODI series win over Sri Lanka because of a hand injury.

England confirmed Rashid was fit and available for the match in Rawalpindi on October 22, 2026, but opted to select Dawson for tactical reasons. Rashid took 1 for 55 from eight overs in England's 87-run defeat to Pakistan on October 20, 2026, his only tournament outing before being left out.

Dawson took 1 for 71 from 10 overs against Sri Lanka on October 22, 2026, the tightest return of any England bowler in that match. The tactical explanation centred on Dawson's skiddy slow left-arm bowling being better suited to the conditions at Rawalpindi and Lahore, where left-arm spinners bowling into the surface succeeded while pitched-up deliveries were hit.

Why Dawson cannot be compared to Rashid?

Rashid remains England's second-highest wicket-taker in ODI history, and Dawson acknowledged the gulf in experience and achievement between the two left-arm spinners. Despite being overlooked for tactical reasons in the tri-series, Rashid's record and consistency for England over 165 matches speak for themselves. Dawson was clear that the two bowlers operate in fundamentally different roles within the team structure.

"I don't think I can be compared to Adil, he's a phenomenal bowler. You don't play 165 ODIs and become a bad bowler. I don't think you can compare us at all because we're so different in our roles in the team. He's a fantastic bowler, he's been exceptional for England and I think he still will be," Dawson said as quoted by The Independent.

Optimism despite recent defeats

Despite England's losses to Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the tri-series, Dawson remained optimistic about the group's prospects. The 36-year-old pointed to the team's competitive positions in recent matches as a foundation for future improvement. He explained that if England could bank on their previous experiences in similar situations, they would look back at the tri-series as a huge positive.

“That changing room is gutted, we’re desperate to win. If you look at the last two games, we’ve been in positions where we should have won, so that is a massive positive as a group," said Dawson.

“To lose those two games from a position we’re in is frustrating because we should have won those games. If in a year’s time we do get to those situations again and bank on our previous experiences then we’ll look back at this tri-series as a huge positive," he added.

Unexpected international resurgence

While England's bid to reach the tri-series final hung in the balance, Dawson established himself as a mainstay in the T20 side and increasingly involved in the ODI set-up under Harry Brook. Being a fringe England player for much of his career, the 36-year-old has experienced an unexpected resurgence over the past 12 months, with the World Cup in southern Africa just 12 months away. Dawson retired from first-class cricket earlier in the year, signalling his focus on white-ball cricket at international level.

"Up until a year or so ago, I said to numerous people I didn't think I'd play for England again. I've really enjoyed the time I've had so far. You're desperate to do well, but each time I get to play for England is a really special thing. I didn't think it would happen at the age that I got to so to play the amount I have in the last year and contribute has been really pleasing and hopefully that can continue," Dawson said.

When asked if he would consider reversing his first-class retirement if approached by new Test head coach Stephen Fleming, Dawson made clear that chapter of his career was closed.

"No, those days are gone," Dawson concluded.