ICC World Cup 2019 – Match 6: ENG vs PAK – Pakistan Predicted Playing XI

Pakistan started its ambitious World Cup 2019 campaign on a disastrous note. Their batsmen absolutely had no answers to the short-ball barrage from the Windies bowlers. Thus, the team could only score 105 runs in the innings, their second-lowest total in a World Cup game. This performance has raised several questions amongst the fans. The former cricketers have absolutely lashed out at the batsmen for failing to apply themselves.

A sterner challenge awaits for Pakistan as they take on England in the next game. Beating the tournament favourites won’t be easy. Pakistan is likely to make one or two changes to their eleven for the upcoming match. In the next encounter, the batsmen need to take the onus upon themselves and bring out a better performance.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for Pakistan:

Openers (Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman)

Imam-ul-Haq, with 236 runs in the last 5 ODI games, is having a great run. It was disappointing to see the way he got out in the last game. On any other day, he would have sent that ball which was bowled down the leg-side to the boundary with ease. But on this particular occasion, he was a little late and conceded an easy catch to the keeper.

While playing such a huge tournament as this one, there is no scope of complacency and he shouldn’t repeat such mistakes. His partner, Fakhar Zaman, was playing everything on the front foot in this game. Thus, when a well-aimed bouncer was bowled at him, he failed to get back in time and played his shot late. It is important for Zaman to be quick on his feet having spent a decent amount of time in England now.

Middle Order (Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Mohammad Hafeez, Asif Ali)

Babar Azam looked good for his 22 in the last match. But just like many other batsmen, he also ended up playing a sheepish shot just as he was getting his eye in. He threw his hands at a ball that was bowled away from the stumps. But, he failed to analyse the bounce and got a thick outside edge. A lot of Pakistan’s fortunes for the next game will depend on the way he plays. The team might continue to keep Shoaib Malik out of the eleven.

Asif Ali is likely to be roped in place of Haris Sohail. Thus, Sarfaraz Ahmed could promote himself up the order to bat at number four. The Pakistan skipper rotates the strike well and is in good touch. If he could score some quick runs in the middle overs, Mohammad Hafeez and Ali will carry forward the momentum from there on. Having the left-hander in the middle-order gives Pakistan an aggressive finisher.

All Rounders (Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan)

Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan will be the two spinners in the side. Both of them are known for their economical bowling and will be important to restrict the English batsmen in the middle overs. If they can pick up a wicket or two early in their spells, there is a chance that the opposition will be put under some pressure. Their services weren’t required with the ball in the last game against the Windies as the target was chased down in just 13.4 overs and with 7 wickets to spare.

Bowlers (Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir)

Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir will form the three-pronged pace attack for Pakistan. Amir was excellent in the last game and bowled his heart out. Picking three wickets in this low-scoring chase for an out-of-form pacer is quite an achievement. However, it is too early to judge his current form after just one performance. Remember, he’s really struggled in the last twelve months and wasn’t a part of the preliminary squad either.

Amir must bowl with the same intensity against England as well. Even though they were very expensive in the last game, Pakistan is likely to continue with Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz. The other two options that they can explore are Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain. But they wouldn’t want to take a chance at this stage of the tournament against this opposition.