England vs Pakistan 2021, 1st ODI: England's Predicted XI

Just two days before the first ODI against Pakistan, seven members of the England squad tested COVID positive. Three of them were players from the squad after which the rest of the squad was asked to move into isolation. The ECB announced a revised 18-member squad nine of whom are uncapped players for the white-ball leg against Pakistan.

Ben Stokes will lead the side and ECB’s Managing Director,?? Ashley Giles has placed a lot of faith in him. He said that Stokes will fulfill the role perfectly driving experience from the time he led the team before. Meanwhile, Alex Hales was one of the big omissions in this new squad of players. His experience of playing many Pakistan bowlers in the PSL would have come in handy.

“Ben hasn’t captained our ODI side before so it’s a huge honour for him. We all wish him well and it’s a role I’m sure he’ll thrive in. I’d like to also put on record the thanks of the ECB to the PCB for their support and understanding during this time,” Giles said.

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In this article, we take a look at England’s predicted XI for the first ODI against Pakistan.

England vs Pakistan 2021, 1st ODI: England’s Predicted XI

James Vince

Vince made his debut for England back in 2015 and is one of the most experienced batsmen in this makeshift squad for the series. He has played 16 ODIs for his national team with one fifty-plus score to his name.

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Dawid Malan

Malan was not in the initial squad announced by the ECB for the series. He pulled out of the series due to personal reasons but now has been drafted back. He will open the batting alongside Malan. He recently played the T20I series against Sri Lanka before pulling out from the ODI series.

Ben Stokes

Stokes should ideally bat at number three in the weakened England batting line-up. There were doubts over his return for the Pakistan series but this unfortunate sequence of events meant that he is now leading a second-string England side. He will also be required with the ball.

Daniel Lawrence

Lawrence has played seven Tests for England but he is yet to play an ODI for his side. He was a part of the England squad that played India and New Zealand. Now Lawrence gets his first attempt at playing an ODI for his side. He is expected to make his debut and bat in the middle-order.

Ben Duckett

Duckett played his last ODI for England in 2016. He is a forced call-up in the revised England squad after three of is players tested COVID positive which forced the rest of the players to under isolation. Duckett has two fifties to his credit in the format.

Zak Crawley

Crawley is a Test specialist included in the ODI squad for the series against Pakistan. He has played 14 Tests and all of them as an opener. He might need to bat in the middle-order for his side who are likely to struggle in the series.

John Simpson

Simpson is the wicketkeeper in the XI and will also bat at number seven in the batting line-up. Aged 32, he has enough experience of playing county cricket for Middlesex. He has also played U-19 cricket for England.

Jake Ball

Jake Ball will be one of the pacers in this England XI. He has played 18 ODIs for England previously having made his international debut back in 2016. With his height, Ball can extract extra bounce which can make life difficult for Pakistan batters.

Saqib Mahmood

Saqib Mahmood is another pacer in he has previously played four ODIs for England having made his international debut last year. Mahmood is ranked highly in domestic cricket for his raw pace and swing.

Craig Overton

Overton slots in as the third specialist seamer in the playing XI. He has played one ODI so far in which he bowled a wicketless spell. He has played four Test matches for England as well.

Matt Parkinson

Parkinson sums up England predicted XI for the first ODI against Pakistan. He will be the lone spinner in the playing XI. This team is way less experienced compared to their first XI. Pakistan will look for an easy win against this inexperienced lot of players.

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