Jos Buttler warns teams of Pakistan's capabilities in the World Cup

England are now 3-0 ahead in the five-match ODI series against the touring Pakistan team after the fourth game ended in a three-wicket victory for the hosts. After the first One-Day International fixture, at The Oval, was washed out due to rain the next three outings saw big match totals scored by both teams. Even though Pakistan lost the series 3-0, but don’t write them off for the World Cup yet, so advises Jos Buttler.

Thus far, the Pakistan team has crossed the 350-run mark in two games (361/7, 358/9), and in the 4th match, they scored 340/7. Even the one-off T20I match was a high scorer where England chased down a target of 174 in 19.2 overs. This run simply proves the Men in Green is just not a team to underestimate, especially since they are now well adapted to the English conditions.

The boards also have to finalize their last draft of the 15-man brigades for the showpiece event by May 23. Soon all teams will be flying out to England, the host for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 which commences on May 30. Before the tournament begins, there the warm-up matches scheduled that starts on May 24 with Afghanistan facing Pakistan, who are already in England.

Till now, in the ongoing ODI series between England and Pakistan, six players have scored hundreds and three of them are from the touring team- Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam (on Friday). Azam’s 112-ball 115 help Pakistan scored 340/7 in the first innings but it was however overshadowed by ‘Player of the Match’ Jason Roy’s match-winning 89-ball 114. But every hundred, veery big innings is only a building positive for Pakistan.

Pakistan are a dangerous opponent, says Buttler

Of all touring teams, they will have the most experience of England conditions before stepping into the World Cup. No to forget, that Pakistan were the winners of the Champions Trophy. They bulldozed over India in the final of the Champions Trophy 2017 tournament with a high total of 338/4 while India were bowled all out for 158. Before that Pakistan defeated England, almost cruising over them, in the semi-final,

After Friday’s game, stand-in captain Jos Buttler spoke at the press conference about their opponents and recalled how brilliant Pakistan was in CT 2017. “Don’t underestimate Pakistan for the World Cup. They are a dangerous opponent as we saw at the Champions Trophy,” he said.

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