Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 6: England v Pakistan Preview Dream11. ENG vs PAK Preview Dream11 Prediction

Bangladesh’s 21-run win over South Africa is comfortably the closest match of the 2019 World Cup so far. We can all hold hope that even closer matches can follow. However, looking at the Tuesday fixture – England and Pakistan – we face, on paper and form, one of the big mismatches.

This is not to disrespect Pakistan. Everyone knows that on their day, they can beat anyone. After all, they are the current holders of the Champions Trophy. However, they have now lost 11 straight completed ODIs, their worst run ever, and are coming off one of the most pathetic, disgraceful batting displays you’ll see. The way they played the short ball against West Indies was amateurish, and must put on an improved showing to avoid falling too far behind the pack.

However, they are coming up against World Cup favourites England. Not a big deal, right? Eoin Morgan’s men will play their fifth match against Pakistan in less than a month, winning the previous four. They conceded big totals in the recent series, but the way Pakistan played the short ball last Friday surely has the likes of Jofra Archer on notice. It was a polished performance by England first up against South Africa, and they will be out to be the first team to win two games at the tournament.

Also read: A look into Pakistan’s embarrassing performance first up

Key to an England win

If the Pakistani batsmen’s back feet aren’t bruised due to pressure, then England haven’t done their job. There is always the temptation to start the first few overs on the full side to search for swing, but England might want to test the centre of the pitch nice and early. There was something distinctly different about Jofra Archer in the World Cup opener last Thursday, and surely he and England smell blood in the water after an insipid Pakistan batting performance on this very ground just 72 hours previous. As Michael Holding said on commentary, even the spinners might look to bowl short.

Also, what a shock it was to see Jonny Bairstow fall for a golden duck in the opening game. Indeed, England’s recovery – where four batsmen scored half centuries – is testament to their batting depth. Here, on a ground where England have scores of 444 and 481 in ODIs, a fast start might just be too much for Pakistan to handle. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s men struggled to keep the Windies’ top order quiet, so a huge opportunity awaits for a fast powerplay that has Pakistan gasping for air.

Key to a Pakistan win

What amazing scenes this would be. It is such a Pakistan thing to see an abject performance followed by an amazing one, but holding hope of it is far from enough. They need to stand up (even literally against the short ball) and be counted. The batsmen, led by their top order, need to display sharp footwork and skills to overcome England’s pace and set a platform. The middle overs can see them look to play England’s spinners with freedom.

Indeed, the first ten overs with bat or ball can dictate the match for Pakistan. Can their bowlers, often struggling for penetration, find the movement and bounce they crave to get early wickets? Mohammad Amir looked in good touch against West Indies, but no one else did. If that’s the case against England, then Pakistan will be conceding a big score (unless they bat first and score 100, of course). There is no room for passengers and no doubt coach Mickey Arthur will be reminding his team of that.

Pitch and conditions

Luckily, this game will be played on Monday, not Sunday. There was plenty of rain on Sunday, which will clear for the game. This is a ground where England have twice broken the world record for highest ODI score. On May 17, Pakistan scored 340, with England chasing it down with three wickets and balls to spare. It promises to be good for batting.

Possible Playing 11

For England, why change from the game against South Africa?

England: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Jonny Bairstow, 3. Joe Root, 4. Eoin Morgan (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Liam Plunkett

For Pakistan, it is not as simple. Asif Ali’s exclusion certainly wasn’t the reason for Pakistan’s abject batting effort in their first game, but one gets the feeling he should play to give Pakistan power in the middle order. Then, it could be a shootout between Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim for the final spot.

Pakistan: 1. Imam-ul-Haq, 2. Fakhar Zaman, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Mohammad Hafeez, 5. Shoaib Malik, 6. Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), 7. Asif Ali, 8. Shadab Khan, 9. Hasan Ali, 10. Mohammad Amir, 11. Wahab Riaz

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head in World Cups: Matches 7, England 3, Pakistan 3, NR 1.
• This is the first World Cup meeting between England and Pakistan since 2003.
• Jason Roy needs eight runs to reach 3,000 in ODIs.
• Pakistan have lost 11 ODIs in a row, their worst run ever.
• England recently beat Pakistan 4-0 in an ODI series.

Match Prediction

The key for Pakistan would be to put an improved showing.

However, England should win. Form and confidence is far and away ahead of Pakistan’s right now.

Enjoyed this article? View more of the recent “key talking points” articles from this World Cup!

Pakistan vs West Indies: Embarrassing Pakistan performance

New Zealand v Sri Lanka: Goes from bad to worse for SL

Australia v Afghanistan: Plenty to like about Afghanistan + keep booing Smith and Warner!

Thanks for reading!