England vs Pakistan
Trent Bridge, early June in the sunshine and the cricket World Cup – what’s not to like for cricket fans?
Well, one side will be probably disappointed when hosts England meet Pakistan but is it as clear-cut as we think?
England are certainly hoping to cash in on the vulnerable visitors who were defeated by seven wickets in their tournament opener against the West Indies.
Talking Points
SBOBET’s trusted followers of cricket may have noticed the success that the West Indies achieved when bowling on Friday- with such aggression that the legendary Viv Richards said he could not recall the last time he had seen so much short-pitched bowling in a one-day international.
Pakistan’s collapse also confounded predictions that their clash with the ‘Windies’ would witness stratospheric scoring on a ground that is famous for it.
Pre-tournament, their coach Mickey Arthur predicted that pace could be an important weapon and that their promising teenager fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain had been included in their squad with ‘a couple of games in mind’.
Whether this clash is one of them could be deemed unlikely but, just as when they met a few weeks ago, this has the potential to provide one-sided World Cup highlights if Pakistan do not improve.
A 54-run victory at Headingley was inspired by Chris Woakes, although it’s unclear whether he will play at the same ground as he battles a long-standing knee injury.
They will be without Alex Hales, a centurion during both record totals in Nottingham, but a return to their happiest hunting ground has created a buzz among the batsmen as they look to make it two wins from two.
The pitch will be the one used when England racked up record scores of 444 for three in 2016 against Pakistan and then 481 for six in 2018 in a whitewash of the Australians.
Indeed, the temptation must be for England to deploy both pacemen for this one.
Mark Wood missed the tournament opener against South Africa after reporting of soreness in his landing foot but, if he is fit to come back, will make an encouraging partnership with Jofra Archer.
When they joined forces against the same opposition in that one day international, they wreaked havoc.
Since then, Pakistan’s self-belief has diminished further. They have now lost their last 11 ODIs, the worst sequence in their history.
Yet they can point to another statistic as one of hope.
They have won five of their past six meetings with England at World Cups and Champions Trophies since 1987.
Pakistan’s unpredictability and their ability to bounce back in multi-nation tournaments means their chances of a strong resurgence can never be ruled out.
In 1992, they scripted one of the most dramatic comebacks in World Cup history, as they bounced back from series of losses at the early stage of the tournament, and went on to lift the title.
They lost their opening game to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, but turned it on with three consecutive wins, before beating their arch-rivals with an all-round performance in the finals.
Pakistan will have a good following at Trent Bridge.
Along with England and India, they have a great following at this tournament.
England are also likely to get their first sight in 2019 of left-arm pacemen Wahab Riaz and the more dangerous Mohamad Amir.
Arthur termed their performance on Friday as ‘shocking’ but insists his side will bounce back when they take on the hosts.
Do you agree with him?
History
One day hostilities between these two nations go back to 1974 with 87 matches in total. England have won 53 and Pakistan 31.
These sides have some history.
Even in modern day combat, it’s easy to forget the 1992 World Cup when Pakistan were on the verge of elimination in the group stages before being handed half a point due to rain against England.
They next met in the World Cup Final when Pakistan triumphed.
In the fourth and final test in 2006, Pakistan refused to take the field after tea on the fourth day at The Oval having been penalised for ball tampering by Darrell Hair.
It led to ugly scenes with Inzamam-ul-Haq keeping his players in the changing room as England’s not-out batsmen, Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell, wandered out with the umpires to resume.
After brief discussions, Hair removed the bails to end the match and launch cricket into another crisis.
England were awarded the match and for a while it appeared the tour would end there, but the one-day series did take place.
Quite a history.
Betting Tip
The one-day international betting odds favour England with Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 1.24.
I’m going to go against the grain here, however, and tip Pakistan to cause a surprise.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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