ENG vs PAK Match Preview– ICC World Cup 2023, Match 44

The ENG vs PAK match is the last league match for both England and Pakistan in this World Cup. The match is a must-win match for Pakistan to stay alive in the semi-final race. India, South Africa, and Australia have already made it to the semi-final. The fight for the fourth spot is on between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and New Zealand.

England having already eliminated from the tournament can pile on the pressure against Pakistan. If they win the ENG vs PAK game, Pakistan’s tournament will be over. Thus Pakistan finds themselves in a must-win situation in Kolkata where the match will be played.

This is England’s first game in Kolkata while the second for Pakistan. Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in the earlier game they played at this venue. England, on the other hand, have not played well against spin bowling and Pakistan spinners should target that weakness in the ENG vs PAK match. England and Pakistan played a lot of cricket in recent times. The Englishmen won a T20I series 4-3 in December last year in Pakistan and also whitewashed Pakistan in the Test series.

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England have been well below par in this tournament as the defending champions of the World Cup. Pakistan, on the other hand, finds itself in a must-win situation. Having defeated New Zealand on the DLS method in the last game, Pakistan will fancy their chances against a depleted England side.

ENG vs PAK Match Preview– ICC World Cup 2023, Match 44

Pakistan

Pakistan are heading into this ENG vs PAK game on the back of a crucial win against New Zealand. They are placed fifth on the points table and a big victory might help them overtake the Kiwis on the points table. Fakhar Zaman was absolutely outstanding for the Men in Green in the last match and needs to shoulder the batting responsibilities once again. Babar Azam who has not been in good form in this tournament needs a big score. The onus will also be on Mohammad Rizwan. The run-scoring will revolve around the top three.

Given the conditions in Kolkata, Shadab Khan and Usma Mir should both play in the playing XI and expose England’s weakness against spin. Both did not play in the game against New Zealand as Iftikhar Ahmed and Agha Salman did the spin bowling job. Given the pitch at Eden and how it has behaved in the matches played, Pakistan should stack up their spin attack.

Pakistan Squad

Babar Azam (c), 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

England

The defending champions have endured a disappointing campaign. They lost five on the trot since winning against Bangladesh. They won their previous game against the Netherlands to salvage some pride. Having already been eliminated from the tournament, they now have a chance to end Pakistan’s campaign.

Nothing has clicked so far as a team for England. However, the ENG vs PAK match gives them a chance to end their campaign on a high. Skipper Jos Buttler endured a disappointing campaign as a batter and captain.

Speaking about the bowlers, none of the England bowlers are among the top-wicket takers which highlights their struggles as a bowling group. The team has coped with a lot of criticism given how they have performed being the defending champions. Their much-famed batting depth has not scored as many runs as expected of them.

Losses to Afghanistan and India especially by big margins have derailed their campaign. Their inability to play spin in Indian conditions has been another major talking point. With the odds stacked against them, it will be interesting to see how they respond against Pakistan.

England Squad

Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes

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