ICC World Cup 2019 Match 6 

Pakistan Vs England played at Nottingham, England 

Brief Score Card: Pakistan 348/8 (Mohammad Hafiz 84, Babar Azam 63, Sarfraz Ahmed 55, Imam ul Haq 44, Fakhar Zaman 35, MM Ali 3/55, CR Woakes 3/71, MA Wood 2/53) beat England 334/9 (JE Root 107, JC Buttler 103, JM Bairstow 32, Wahab Riaz 3/82, Shadab Khan 2/63, Mohammad Amir 2/67) by 14 Runs

DHAKA: Badly bruised, battered and humiliated Pakistan bounced back against England winning a high scoring thrilling match by 14 runs. Batting smartly Pakistan posted impressive 348/8. Many thought that would not be enough against England packed with power hitters. They were cruising on their way riding on swash bucking century by Joe Root and record setting ton by blaster Jos Buttler. But experienced Wahab Riaz and X-factor Mohammad Amir piped England for the post restricting them to 324/9 when England’s quota of batting ran out. Never to be ruled out Pakistan came back to contention. England did not remain unbeatable. 

Surprise never goes with Pakistan in Cricket. They are predictably unpredictable like glorious uncertain game of cricket. Fiery West Indies pulverised them to pulp in their first match. Proving to their nametag Pakistan bounced back against host and host favourite England. Nottingham is the happy hunting ground of the tournament favourite host England. In recent times they chased scores over 350 on regular basis.

Pakistan as part of their preparation for the World Cup had a four match bilateral ODI series. England won all four. All the matches Pakistani batsmen scored heavily. But power packed England batting got the better of them in every match. 

Brief Scores of the Recent Pakistan –England ODI Series 

England: 373/3 beat Pakistan: 361/7 by 7 wickets 
England: 359/4 beat Pakistan 358/9 by 6 wickets 
England: 341/7 beat Pakistan 340/7 by 3 wickets 
England: 351/9 beat Pakistan 297/10 by 1 wicket 

England won the toss and expecting the disintegration of Pakistan batting like their previous match against short lifting deliveries opted to field. England added Wood in their pace bowling battery along side J Archer, C Woakes and BA Stokes. But Pakistani batsmen appeared with fresh resolve and determination. Fakhar Zaman and Imam Ul Haq looked very different as they encountered fast short stuff professionally. 82 runs first wicket partnership was going great till spinner Moeen Ali had Fakhar brilliantly stumped by Buttler for 36. 

Talented Babar Azam joined Imamul. He was looking in sublime touch. But Imam (44) was soon sent back by M Ali again. Woakes took a brilliant stubling catch in the deep. Mohammad Hafiz, the professor came to the wicket. He appeared a bit nervy at the start. Few chances were not grabbed. England was looking scratchy in the field. Given reprieve Hafiz utilized all his experience in sewing up a great partnership with Babar. 88 runs were put in quick time. When the partnership was looking to gather more Ali struck again. Once again Woakes took a good catch. 

English fielding was a mixed bag–Sublime and most ordinary. Balls were running through the legs, over throws, no back up all were seen. Sarfraz promoted himself and with Hafiz put in another important partnership of 80 runs in good time. When these two were batting a score of 380 appeared possible. But England took some short of control over few overs. Hafiz and Sarfraz were taking sharp singles and were punishing loose deliveries. In between both played few aggressive strokes. Hafiz was looking set for a century. But Mark Wood got rid of him with fast rising delivery on 88.But by then Pakistan was on course for an impressive score. At 4/279 in the 43rd over Englishmen in the commentary box were speculating what score would be safe at Nottingham against England. Pakistan managed 348/8. Experience always counts. 

Experienced Hafiz was the nucleus of Pakistan batting with well timed 84. Talented Babar Azam also batted superbly for his 63. It was a great team effort by Pakistan as Imam ul Huq 44 and FakharZaman 36 also made useful contributions. It could be more if Sarfraz (55) could till the end of the innings. But 348/8 in World cup appeared defendable. It required a record chase for winning. Moeen Ali with 3/55 was the peak of the English bowler, C Woakes also took 3/71. English bowling looked negotiable, English fielding cracked under pressure. 

Taking a leaf from South Africa Pakistan also let its leg spinner Shadab Khan opening the attack. This time it J Roy who fell early pray. Pakistan got what they required early break through. Bairstow also did not last long getting out to Wahab Riaz. Most effective damage was done by two seasoned campaigners-- Professor Hafiz and Shoaib Malik. When he cleaned bowled Morgan and Shoaib accounted for B Stokes before their could spread wings. Root was looking sublime and Buttler appeared in his usual murderous mood. The dynamic duo racing to 130 runs 5th wicket partnership at more than run a ball set the English cruise ship on the course.  

Root scored 107 in 104 deliveries striking 10 fours and a six before Shadab Khan lured him offering a catch to Hafiz. Buttler went on blasting the fastest World cup century 103 in 76 deliveries before Amir in his second spell got him out. With two centurions gone and experienced Wahab Riaz finding his mojo of reverse swing none of the late order batsmen could take home team across the rope. Wahab Riaz removed all-rounders M Ali and Chris Woakes at crucial time. England could go as close as 14 runs to Pakistan score. Pakistan won by 14 runs.

Few tried to tag this win an upset. How that could be? These teams are traditional foes. Pakistan in England is always a factor. They won Champions trophy in not too distant past. They play better when they have their backs to the wall. Who can forget Imran Khan’s cornered tigers winning the 1992 World Cup from nowhere beating England at MCG. That world cup heralded the arrival of a Champion bowler Wasim Akram and a blaster Inzmam Ul Huq. Wasim was in the commentary box yesterday. Great Inzy is now chief selector of Pakistan team now. Reassured Pakistan must have made them proud.

Pakistan and England both played two matches winning one each. It is still very early days. Too early to count any team off, no team should be taken for granted. Sun has broken through the cloud, runs have started flowing like fountain. Wait for dramas in this wide open World cup. 

BDST: 1037 HRS, JUN 4, 2019
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