England vs Pakistan 4th ODI: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

England have a chance to seal another series win in the third ODI against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, but the visitors, who have impressed on tour so far, are expected to put up another good fight in a bid to save the series.

England have done well to be in this position. Pakistan have been pushed them hard. In Southampton, despite positing a tricky 374-run target, the visitors came to within 12 runs of victory. Similarly, in Bristol, the visiting batsmen once again impressed – setting up a target of 359. England, with plenty of batsmen in form, coasted the chase, but there is no denying Pakistan have been more challenging than expected so far.

The question is, can they turn performances into victories? They will need their bowlers to improve for that, although to be fair, England’s bowling could do with a boost too.

And so, some changes are expected for the home side. Eoin Morgan is suspended for the match, incurring a ban for slow over-rate in the third ODI. Jos Buttler will return to the side to lead in his place, having been rested in the previous match. Jofra Archer, who sat out the last two matches, is also expected to get another go and to provide the bowling a much-needed boost.

Another batting paradise is on the cards in Trent Bridge. Expect runs.

Head to head

England have won 51 of their 85 ODIs against Pakistan, with the latter winning 31 of those clashes. At Trent Bridge, however, Pakistan have matched England for the most part – in seven matches, Pakistan have beaten England thrice.

England have won their last two ODIs at this venue, in 2016, and way back in 2006. In fact, Pakistan’s last ODI victory here came in 1996.

Key players

Jonny Bairstow (England): The wicketkeeper-batsman was in tremendous form during the IPL, and he has continued that in the ODIs. He has scored 51 and 128 so far, and on another batting track in Trent Bridge, and given his ability against both spin and pace, more of the same is expected.

Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan): Fakhar Zaman scored a blistering 138 in the second ODI, and generally likes batting in English conditions, going back to his game-changing century in the Champions Trophy 2017 final. Zaman has been in good form on tour, and he will want to keep that going in the coming matches and the World Cup.

Likely XIs

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Junaid Khan.

England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler (c), Joe Denly, Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Liam Plunkett.

Prediction

England are almost unstoppable at home. They’ll make it 3-0.