In the semi-finals and on the verge of securing their place, Pakistan’s focus now shifts to a historic victory. In the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, to claim the fourth spot and advance to the semi-finals by surpassing New Zealand, Pakistan not only needs to defeat England, who were already eliminated, but also improve their net run rate. Here’s all the info you need:
Date and Location:
Saturday, November 11, Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Summary:
Pakistan has it all to play for, as they take on England with hopes of not only leveling with New Zealand with 10 points but also surpassing them on net run rate to secure their semi-final spot. It’s a straightforward equation for Pakistan, but it won’t be easy – beat England, post 287 runs or more, claim the fourth spot, and set up an exciting semi-final clash with arch-rivals India.
Pakistan can dare to dream of an unexpected result if they can move ahead from where they left against New Zealand. In that match, when Fakhar Zaman (126*) and Babar Azam (66*) had taken them to 200/1 in just 25.3 overs, Pakistan had left New Zealand behind. Although Pakistan was chasing 402 runs in the end, the DLS method made it possible to win by 21 runs against New Zealand, which has dampened hopes for the semi-finals now, and they are preparing for a tough battle against England.
While Pakistan has lofty goals, England is gearing up with its ambitions for the future, aiming to secure a spot in the next ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, where the top eight teams at the end of this Cricket World Cup will be featured.
England is currently in seventh place, and it can’t go beyond that, but with Bangladesh and the Netherlands having only one match left for a third tournament win, their qualification is all but ensured.
Teams:
England: Jos Buttler (Captain), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, David Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Brydon Carse, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (Captain), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
Key Players:
For England, the main player to watch is David Malan. Despite limited support in the batting department, he has emerged as a shining light in England’s disappointing title defense campaign. Malan has scored 373 runs in eight innings, featuring a sensational century against Bangladesh and recent half-centuries against Australia and the Netherlands. Together with Eoin Morgan’s side, Ben Stokes (220) and Joe Root (216) remain England’s top scorers. However, if they want to secure a place in the ICC Champions Trophy, 36-year-old Malan must outshine them once again.
For Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman is the key player to watch. Since his return to the side in the last eleven, this explosive opening batsman has had such a significant impact that it’s not hard to believe that he will continue Pakistan’s campaign next week. After scoring only 12 runs against the Netherlands in Pakistan’s tournament opener and subsequently being dropped, Fakhar has left his mark with consistent Player of the Match performances. The 33-year-old played a blistering knock of 81 runs against Bangladesh, which revived Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals, and then in a rain-affected clash against New Zealand, he decimated New Zealand’s attack with an explosive 126* off 81 balls.
For Pakistan to move ahead of New Zealand in net run rate and have a shot at winning, they’ll need Fakhar to produce at least one more of his all-time great knocks.
