England are the number one team in ODI cricket and rightfully have the tag of favourites for the World Cup, but the pressure on them to perform is now rising.
Pakistan have not had ideal preparation for the World Cup, but a solid display against England would be massively encouraging for Sarfaraz Ahmed’s team.
Wednesday 8 May 2019
The Oval, London
14:00
To Win Match
England
Tie
Pakistan
England
They may be the best team in the world in the ODI format, but it is noted that England tend to struggle to adjust to surfaces that aren’t great for batting – and will lose wickets in clusters. Pakistan will be looking to get among them with raw pace and the guile of their spinners.
For some players the stakes in this series are very high, with England yet to name a World Cup squad replacement for Alex Hales. England look likely to name Hampshire batsman James Vince as his replacement, but could also bow to pressure to include all-rounder Jofra Archer.
There is no place for England’s saviour against Ireland, Ben Foakes, with Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow now available for selection for Eoin Morgan’s team.
For Morgan, there might be a sense of nearing the end of his work with this ODI team that has come on in leaps and bounds since being knocked out of the 2015 World Cup at the group stage.
England are the only team to suggest that they may make late changes to their World Cup squad that aren’t entirely fitness-related, so every member of the team will need to be on their toes.
Rotational selection will almost certainly be used, with management wary of how close the 2019 World cup is.
Pakistan
It is hard to paint a picture of the Pakistan team without making it seem they are either in the midst of, or recovering from a crisis, but somehow they always seem to come up with the goods when it matters.
Injury, illness and personal issues have ruled Mohammed Hafeez, Shadab Khan and Shoaib Malik out of at least the first two ODIs of the series – and all three missed the one-off T20I loss in Cardiff.
England got their first look at the young paceman who has displaced Mohammad Amir from the Pakistan squad in that T20I, but Mohammad Hasnain wasn’t quite at his best and ended wicketless.
Pakistan will rely heavily on their bowlers to ensure that their batsmen don’t have to push too hard to maintain an elevated run-rate. Without Shoaib and Hafeez, the top-order lack experience and will look to Fakhar Zaman to get them onto the front foot early.
This series will give Pakistan an idea of whether or not they will be competitive in the World Cup in June and July.
Verdict: England
The hosts should prove too strong for a Pakistan team still trying to settle in.
Written by @JonhenryWilson
