Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

England v Pakistan: 5 key talking points. ENG vs PAK 5 key talking points from their CWC 2019 match.

Is this an upset? Yes. Are you shocked? You shouldn’t be.

People, the 2019 Cricket World Cup has just got interesting. A beautiful 24 hours, where two outsiders won in cracking matches, has thrown things open. Just that little bit.

Pakistan have done a Pakistan. Friday’s abomination against West Indies was one of their greatest World Cup embarrassments. A game just a few days later against World Cup favourites England, whom they lost 4-0 to just two weeks ago, was meant to mean defeat.

Michael Vaughan certainly thought so.

But, nothing is set in stone with Pakistan. You just strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. And what a ride it was. They have mirrored their start in the 2017 Champions Trophy (which they won, remember), bouncing back after an embarrassing start. Indeed, Sarfaraz Ahmed can turn around the world economy.

A cracking game had its talking points. Here are five.

Also read: Afghanistan v Sri Lanka Preview + Dream11 Prediction

1. From embarrassment to ecstasy for Pakistan

Caught with their pants down against West Indies, Pakistan pulled them up and caught England out. England skipper Eoin Morgan warned his team to expect Pakistan at their best in this game, and that is what they got. Morgan is a genius – he was able to predict a Pakistan performance. Not quite so genius was his team’s performance, though.

In all seriousness, this is a magnificent fightback by Pakistan. They sent the challenge to England to successfully chase down the highest score in World Cups thanks to a total batting effort, with contributions right the way down. Then, they held their nerve, despite an onslaught from Joe Root and Jos Buttler. What a day for Pakistan.

2. Chasing high scores is a different ask in World Cups

England chased down 359 at Bristol and 341 at Trent Bridge in their very recent bilateral ODI series against Pakistan. The chase in Bristol was particularly remarkable, achieving it with more than five overs to spare in what was considered a warning shot to the world.

But, the pressure of World Cup matches is different. England have been engaged in many high-scoring ODIs in 2019, but to aim win a World Cup like that is a risk. The equivalent in football is “score as many goals as you want and we’ll score one more than you.” It’s happy days until you come up against sides that can defend in pressure situations. This was the despite the superb efforts of Joe Root and Jos Buttler, the first two centurions at CWC 2019. Buttler’s ramp shot in the 26th over off Wahab Riaz in particular was something to behold.

3. Chalk and cheese: wake up call for England

England’s bowling performance was excellent against South Africa. Jofra Archer was sharp, clinical and determined, and despite England’s fielding not quite perfect, no one could even care after Ben Stokes’ catch from another planet.

However, the old concerns regarding the bowling attack have come to the fore. Jofra Archer has tumbled back to earth. Jason Roy’s dropped catch with Mohammad Hafeez on 14 in the 25th over was reflective of England’s day. Looking up at the sun as if to blame it, with your shades on your head, is not wise, Jason.

Also read: Afghanistan v Sri Lanka Preview + Dream11 Prediction

Chris Woakes was outstanding in the field, just as Root and Buttler were with the bat – but the remaining contributions weren’t enough. Also, their inability to properly test Pakistan against the short ball was disappointing, dishing up a number of waist and chest-high freebies. Prepare a highway and you’re bound to have a car fly past you. Especially if yours isn’t quite perfect.

While this is a big wake up call for England, there is a silver lining. It’s just the second match, and there is time to bounce back.

4. Wahab Riaz repays the faith

The selection of Wahab Raiz in Pakistan’s squad was an eyebrow-raiser. After all, he has been out of the team, with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir and Usman Khan Shinwari all ahead of him in the left-arm pace pecking order.

However, things happen when Riaz comes on to bowl. Drop the phone. Drop the conversation. Glue your eyes to the action, and strap yourself in for the ride. A 3/82 ride. In this crucial game for Pakistan, he was absolutely outstanding in the death overs, which included crucial wickets and a wonderful catch at third man. “You can’t keep Wahab Riaz out of the game”, said a concerned but excited Nasser Hussain. Right he is.

5. Mohammad Hafeez shows the high value of all-rounders at this World Cup

Mohammad Hafeez became the second all-rounder to win man of the match after Shakib Al Hasan did so for Bangladesh against South Africa.

Hafeez, known as “The Professor”, delivered a class worthy of any top University. His strike rate of 135.48 was as powerful as it was aesthetic to watch, with Hafeez employing a range of beautiful touch shots to throw more spanners in England’s works. Then, he followed it up with the crucial wicket of Eoin Morgan which had Pakistan well on top. A quality performance.

After four one-sided games to kick off the 2019 World Cup, it is clear now that no result is set in stone. This was a beauty, and we can all look forward to the next games. England have a buoyant Bangladesh. Pakistan have struggling Sri Lanka.

Bring it on.

Also, be sure check out my series of “five key talking points” from every CWC 2019 match! The latest:

South Africa v Bangladesh: #ProteaFire or #ProteaDire?

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!