England vs Pakistan Preview: England poised for Pakistan demolition

The Nightwatchman
Jun 3, 2019
3 min read

Many are tipping England to be celebrating after their second match in this years World Cup.

It wasn’t too long ago that England and Pakistan faced off in a five-match ODI series, which Pakistan floundered to lose 0-4, despite putting a three consecutive 300-plus scores. Not even 15 days removed from the final game, England and Pakistan lock horns again, in the big one, the World Cup, two teams who find themselves at different ends of the tunnel.

In the Cup opener, England sent a timely reminder as to why they are indeed the favourites to win the tournament, while Pakistan’s wretched run continued, their losing streak extending to 11 matches. The pattern to the recently-concluded series in England was one that is expected to play through the World Cup too. A total of 2760 combined runs were scored by both teams.

And the surface on which the match is supposed to be played on is a belter. It’s the same deck on which a couple of 400-plus scores have been registered by England, twice breaking the record for the highest total in one-day internationals. England piled up 444 for 3 against Pakistan in 2016 and went on to better it by scoring 481 for 6 against Australia last year. After the first game in Trent Bridge ended up lasting just 35.2 overs, we could be in for a very contrasting second game.

Pakistan underwent a very intense practice session in the company of some light drizzle. Not surprisingly, Mickey Arthur, the bowlers and bowling coach Azhar Mahmood sent down some short ones to the batsmen in the nets, and the batsmen seemed to be at ease. It seems that lesson was learnt from the game against the West Indies where their pacers bounced Pakistan out for their second-lowest total.

And as they prepare themselves to face England, the Jofra Archer threat looms large. Like the Windies, Archer’s pace, coupled with his deadly bouncers had South Africa hopping in the crease, and irrespective of whatever little assistance Archer gets on a world record pitch, Pakistan should keep an eye out for him.

WATCH OUT FOR - Jos Butler

If England win the toss and bat first, this man could break records.

Scoring 500 in an ODI was once viewed as impossible but, given their recent record-breaking exploits, England could go close if they bat first at Trent Bridge tonight. If England are fortunate enough, and a solid platform is set by the top order, expect the explosive Jos Butler to have a field day after missing out in the opener against South Africa, as England push in their quest to be the first side past 500. PREDICTION A lot of things will have to go their way to pass 500, and I won't be putting the house on that as a predition. But I do expect England's batsmen to be far too good for Pakistan who were outclassed by the West Indies just a few days ago. Expect England to win easily no matter who bats first. England to win by 100-120 runs or 7 wickets. STATISTICS HEAD TO HEAD ODI HEAD TO HEAD IN WORLD CUPS Matches: 87 Matches: 9 England: 53 England: 4