ICC World Cup 2019 Match 6, England v Pakistan: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Based on recent form if there had to be a colossal mismatch between two teams at this World Cup, it is this clash between England, the favourites for the title, and Pakistan, who for all of their unpredictability have been quite ordinary in the recent past.

After a hammering at the hands of the West Indies at Trent Bridge which was preceded by a 0-4 defeat to England, Pakistan turn up to face the hosts at the same venue and on the same strip that witnessed a then world-record 444/3 in 2016 when England announced their affinity for big scores. It has since been bettered by England (who else?) again when they scored 481/6 against Australia on the very pitch in 2018.

Hence, Pakistan’s 105 in their World Cup opener looks infinitesimally insignificant when compared to the runfests that have ensued in Nottingham, and to avoid a repeat of that performance the 2017 Champions Trophy winners may look to bring back the experienced Shoaib Malik and hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali – both of whom were left out of the XI against the West Indies.

England, on the other hand, were spurred on by Player of the Match Ben Stokes, who set The Oval on fire in the tournament curtain raiser with a 79-ball 89 that carried his team past 300 and then took two wickets in just under three overs in addition to a Superman-like catch at the mid-wicket boundary that is already being touted as the catch of the tournament.

Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan all hit half-centuries, while Jofra Archer’s 3/27 contained menacing bouncers. Pakistan are up for a stern test, which could be compounded by the return of Mark Wood, who was seen practicing at full throttle ahead of the clash on Saturday.

Head to head

England lead the head-to-head tally 53-31 in ODI cricket, but the teams are tied 4-4 in World Cup encounters. The teams haven’t met in the last three editions of the World Cup with the last encounter dating back to 2003 when England won by 112 runs.

The last series between the teams was a prelude to the World Cup. England beat Pakistan 4-0 in the five-match series in May this year with one game washed out due to rain.

Key players

Ben Stokes (England): Stokes is fresh off an all-round performance against South Africa and averages 60.66 with bat against Pakistan. With the ability to play the waiting game as well as to attack from the outset, he can be a dangerous proponent against Pakistan, especially against spinners Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim, who turn the ball in to Stokes.

Babar Azam (Pakistan): Based on recent form against England, Azam is a batsman Pakistan will rely upon very much. Scores of 16, 51, 15, 115, and 80 against England in the ODI series that preceded the World Cup would have made Babar well-acquainted with the English bowling attack and the right-hander, who bats at No. 3, will look to lay a base for the middle order.

Likely XIs

England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer.

Pakistan:  Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz.