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ENG vs PAK Match Prediction: Who will win in today’s England vs Pakistan 2nd ODI?

Gurpreet Singh
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ENG vs PAK Match Prediction

ENG vs PAK Match Prediction: The Sportsrush presents before you the Match Prediction of the 2nd ODI between Pakistan and West Indies.

With rain playing spoilsport in the first ODI at The Oval  on Wednesday, both England and Pakistan would be more than just eager to get on to the park and get some match practice ahead of the all-important World Cup.

Moreover, with a few players still in contention to fetch themselves a place in their respective World Cup squads, both the team captains and the management would pray the rain Gods to stay as far as possible, although the forecasts predict a downpour tomorrow as well.

Toutet as the best team on paper amongst all in the upcoming World Cup, England would still be in a spot of bother, courtesy their recently drawn series (2-2) against a not-so-strong West Indian side at home. On the other hand, Pakistan would certainly need to do most of the things right and need to take the advantage of arriving at the World Cup venue ahead of all the other teams, especially after their 0-5 drubbing against Australia in their ‘adopted home’- UAE.

Apart from the aforementioned, the likes of Jofra Archer, Joe Denly and Mohammed Amir, who have not been included in the preliminary World Cup squad for their respective teams would certainly like to squeeze into the same before the final teams are announced, the  cut-off date of which is May 23.

ALSO READ: Preview | England vs Pakistan

Pakistan vs England- What numbers suggest?

Till date, the two sides have fared up in 82 one-dayers so far. Pakistan have a better overall head-to-head record having won 49 of those matches, while England have managed to triumph on 31 occasions. The remaining 2 matches did not fetch any result.

In England, the two teams have faced each other on 10 occasions in a bilateral series. Pakistan have won just a single series way back in the year 1974, when they defeated them  2-0 in the Prudential Trophy. Barring that, they have lost the remaining 9 series while playing against England in England. Most recently they lost 1-4 against them in the year 2016.

Pakistan vs England- Key Battles

Jonny Bairstow vs Mohammed Amir

Having not been picked in Pakistan’s 2019 World Cup squad due to his consistent run of poor form, Mohammed Amir would be desperate to prove the management, and repose to the faith the selectors have bestowed upon him by giving an extended rope. Will a good performance in this series guarantee him a place in the WC squad is a debate for another day.

On the contrary, Jonny Bairstow has had a wonderful brief stint with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, striking two half-centuries and a century in the ten matches of the league stage. He would certainly look to carry on from where he had left and provide the start which England would expect of him alongside Jason Roy.

Having said that, one would expect a see a spicy battle between the two- where one aims to return back to form, and the other to carry on with his good form with the ball and a bat in hand respectively.

Jofra Archer vs Imam-Ul-Haq

Akin Mohammed Amir, Jofra Archer too has his eyes in the final 15, after his non-selection  in the England preliminary squad. Jofra though, has a much better chance of making it through to the same, courtesy his brilliant performance in the IPL and even in the rain-affected 1st ODI on Wednesday, wherein he troubled the batsman, especially the left-handed Imam-Ul-Haq, with a quick pace, bounce and movement off the deck.

With Haq relatively struggling in the four overs which Archer bowled the other day, there’s another mouth-watering contest which awaits the viewers and spectators today.

Pakistan vs England- Match Prediction

Although Pakistan have a better overall head-to-head record against England, there are no points for guessing who  has been the better team not only in the recent past, but also in the last decade or so. Moreover, England has been the number 1 ranked ODI team in the world for quite some time now, whereas Pakistan is reeling down at number 6, thereby providing a clear indication who the clear favourites are in today’s encounter.

What makes it a contest worth watching is the unpredictability factor that Pakistan brings along with itself. On their day, they can topple the best in the world, and that is what makes them a dangerous side.

About the author

Gurpreet Singh

Gurpreet Singh

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Gurpreet Singh is a Cricket writer at The Sportsrush. His platonic relationship with sports had always been there since childhood, but Cricket managed to strike a special, intimate nerve of his heart. Although his initial dream of playing the sport at the highest level couldn't come to fruition, Gurpreet did represent the state of Jharkhand at the under-14 level. However, almost like taking a pledge to never let the undying passion for Cricket fade away even a tad, he made sure to continue the love relationship by assigning the field of journalism as an indirect Cupid. He thus, first finished his bachelor's in journalism and then pursued the PG Diploma course in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). Soon after and since 2019, he has been working at The Sportsrush. Apart from sports, he takes keen interest in politics, and in understanding women and gender-related issues.

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