ICC World Cup 2023: England v Pakistan | Match 44 | Kolkata | 11 November | Pre-Match Discussion

[hitthestump]

Pakistan favorites to win. Wood is typically an enforcer against pakistan. But slow deck will neutralize him. Bowlers who can bowl cutters/slower ones will be effective. If i were England i would bring Curran in.

Will Wood even play a dead rubber? Given how carefully England handle their pacers he might sit this one out.

 

[holldout]

It's been very gloomy in Blore for last two days, raining 50% of the times. Washout likely on cards for Thursday as per weather forecast.

 

[LegendAli]

Thursday's New Zealand game thread is going to be fire barring no rain of course.

 

[rhony]

It's just unbelievable how every other result has favored Pak so far. Seems destiny for SL to beat NZ now. SL losing to BD and the key factor being timed out decision. This is just script tailormade for Pak's qualification

 

[sweep_shot]

It's just unbelievable how every other result has favored Pak so far. Seems destiny for SL to beat NZ now. SL losing to BD and the key factor being timed out decision. This is just script tailormade for Pak's qualification

Pakistan don't just require SL to beat NZ. Even a SL-NZ washout can help Pakistan.

Any result other than NZ win helps Pakistan.

 

[Firebat]

Losing this game and consequently a spot in the semis right after beating NZ in that fashion would be a dream scenario for Nasser Hussain cliches.

Please don't lose.

 

[batandballbattle]

Will Wood even play a dead rubber? Given how carefully England handle their pacers he might sit this one out.

CT 2025 qualification still on the line so yes he probably will.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

It's just unbelievable how every other result has favored Pak so far. Seems destiny for SL to beat NZ now. SL losing to BD and the key factor being timed out decision. This is just script tailormade for Pak's qualification

We needed 6 results a few days ago now it's down to 2. So yes things look promising.

 

[deltexas]

Thursday's New Zealand game thread is going to be fire barring no rain of course.

On the contrary I think it will be busier if it rains that day lol

 

[160KPH]

Mark Wood averages 40 in ODI, I’m not too worried about him particularly on these pitches. Every once in a while he has a good spell, but he’s a slightly faster but even more inaccurate version of Rauf.

 

[deltexas]

Mark Wood averages 40 in ODI, I’m not too worried about him particularly on these pitches. Every once in a while he has a good spell, but he’s a slightly faster but even more inaccurate version of Rauf.

He has been a total scatterhead this WC. Spraying the ball everywhere with no thought whatsoever. Biggest disappointment for eng from their bowling side. He should have been the leader of the pack..

 

[Suleiman]

Hope we and SL both win, In Sha Allah.

The “time out” garbage today may anger SL and make them take their anger out on NZ.

As for us, let go of Haris esp since he’s injured. Would rather play a half baked spinner given the type of pitch that’s been the norm in this stadium.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

If PAK are only playing 3 pacers , they have to leave out one of Hasan or Rauf. Wasim Jnr. has to play at this point.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Hearing the news of Haris rauf's injury. He is feeling sprain in his ribs. Still few days till the game but i guess he should be dropped no matter what. Bring in shadab or usama.

 

[cricket.mad]

It's north east monsoon time in bangalore and it's total gloomy from past 2 days .had a high intensity rain last night and now it has already started raining..I am sure nz vs sl will nit happen..so pak needs to just win against England to face india in Kolkata..ofcourse everyone knows what will be result in Kolkata but pak can have satisfaction of reaching semis

 

[Savak]

Mickey Arthur hoping for Kudrat Ka Nizam

 

[adi_62941]

Reaching the semifinals will be a pressure reliever for Babar Azam as a captain. Remember, Kamran Akmal was hoping for Pakistan's losses to secure a way for his unfit and lazy brother Umar to enter the team.

Reaching the semifinals and losing is one scenario, but if Pakistan manages to secure a spot among the top four teams, it will be a significant success compared to what happened in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

 

[adi_62941]

I expect pakistan to do well in SF if they reach there.

 

[Marooned]

SL can't defeat nz. We need a washout which is too unlikely at this point. I mean that would be qudrat ka nizam at it's furious best

Ofcourse we need to beat Eng after that which I don't see happening either if I'm honest. Eng will take out all their frustration on us.

I wish the Eng game was before the NZ-SL game. That way it was bound to be a tense meaningful game rather than a glorified friendly game.

 

[hitthestump]

Reaching the semifinals will be a pressure reliever for Babar Azam as a captain. Remember, Kamran Akmal was hoping for Pakistan's losses to secure a way for his unfit and lazy brother Umar to enter the team.

Reaching the semifinals and losing is one scenario, but if Pakistan manages to secure a spot among the top four teams, it will be a significant success compared to what happened in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

I think we need to do away with being solely results oriented.

The preparation for this World Cup will still have been naive at best and shambolic at worst.

We have been outplayed for the majority of the tournament.

Even if we reach the semis by some fluke we will be 2000-1 to beat India.

There still isn’t much for Babar to thump his chest about.

 

[adi_62941]

I think we need to do away with being solely results oriented.

The preparation for this World Cup will still have been naive at best and shambolic at worst.

We have been outplayed for the majority of the tournament.

Even if we reach the semis by some fluke we will be 2000-1 to beat India.

There still isn’t much for Babar to thump his chest about.

But going by the logic Pakistan cricket is played, if there is any team who can beat India, it is Pakistan because of their unpredictable nature. Nobody knows what Pakistani side will come on field on a particular day. It will be better for a tournament if Pakistan side reaches semis, it will make things attractive

 

[Shafi]

i think this could be a blessing in disguise because we really dont need Rauf and the team wont be dropping him.

If Hassan will play as the third seamer, bring Abrar in.

Babar will never play Abrar, so Shadab will loose his position.

 

[Shafi]

I think its deliberate. They cant be so ignorant of the rules!

Babar worry about his buddy Shadab's place

 

[Shafi]

But going by the logic Pakistan cricket is played, if there is any team who can beat India, it is Pakistan because of their unpredictable nature. Nobody knows what Pakistani side will come on field on a particular day. It will be better for a tournament if Pakistan side reaches semis, it will make things attractive

Not current Pakistan team. Current team has lack of spirit just like passionless captain.

 

[Hassan A]

7 November - Pune - England Assistant coach Carl Hopkinson pre-match press conference

[Reporter:]

After three games unchanged and not great results, do you know what the team is going to be? Have you got team changes for us?

[Carl Hopkinson:]

Well, we're going to wait until after practice before we talk about the team. I haven't spoken to Motty [Matthew Mott] about that quite yet or Jos [Buttler]. Normally, that's how we work. We normally will wait until after practice, see how we've got a few niggles kicking around the camp. Obviously, it's been a tough campaign in terms of games and travel, etc. And after the last game, there are a few niggles about, so we need to wait to get through training and find out that before any sort of changes were announced.

[Reporter:]

Any specifics on the Niggles or is it just a case of...

[Carl Hopkinson:]

No, I think just more just aches and creaks of 50-over cricket, to be honest. I don't think there's anything serious. It's just we need to wait until after training and get through that before we can see which XI takes the field.

[Reporter:]

Obviously, without a player here to tell us, can you give us an insight into how the guys are up for this game? Obviously, the prize that they wanted is gone, retaining the World Cup, but there is still something to play for - it's not a dead rubber

[Carl Hopkinson:]

Absolutely, I don't think there's ever a dead rubber when you play for England to be honest, I think the lads are completely up for - we've got two games in which we need to win both to qualify for the for the Champions Trophy, So I think that's there for everybody to see and the guys are going to be obviously up for it and I think we'll be good tomorrow.

[Reporter:]

And what's your assessment of where things have gone wrong and what's your role in improving that and doing what you can to change things tomorrow?

[Carl Hopkinson:]

I think cricket can be a game of - It's about executing under pressure, isn't it? Everybody knows that, and I think this team has been well known for doing that really, really well. It's an incredibly skilful team, it's a very talented team, but at key moments in certain situations, we haven't executed under pressure like we normally do. And I think that's something that we can always look to improve on in practice and everything you go about doing. It's not to say that lads aren't trying to do that in practice, they obviously are, but we haven't got that right in key moments and I think that's something that we can definitely improve on.

[Reporter:]

I just wonder, has there been any, since Ben [Stokes] said he was having the operation and everything, has there been any talk among the management, the coaching staff, about seeing if Ben wants to get home a little bit early and get into that operation and rehab a little bit early?

[Carl Hopkinson:]

I just got asked that question. I mean, I think, knowing Ben, like I do and like you do, he'll want to try and play the next game in front of him and try and win that for England. He's about winning games of cricket for England, so I'd imagine that's what he'll be thinking about first and foremost. Once he's obviously made that decision to have the operation, that's obviously booked in and that's what he's going to do. It's not before this tournament finishes. So, I'd imagine that's what Ben will be thinking.

[Reporter:]

Has England put in a lot more in the Tests than ODI’s coming for the World Cup?

[Carl Hopkinson:]

No, absolutely not. The schedule is obviously very busy like it is for all international teams. I think we balance players playing Test cricket and playing ODI cricket to try and get the best performances that we can do. So, I don't think there's ever one that gets put in front of the other. But there is always a balancing act when you have Test series played so closely to ODI series. So, you just try and make the calls as best you can around selection and have the team there for that. I don't think that's the case now.

[Reporter:]

Can I ask what the qualities are of Mathew Mott as a head coach in this setup? What does he bring? What's his style of coaching that perhaps people on the outside haven't necessarily seen?

[Carl Hopkinson:]

Well, first and foremost, I think Motty's a relaxed character. I think he's got a lot of experience in lots of different avenues that he can draw on and bring to the table, bring to the party when things aren't going well, but equally when they do go well, like they have done this time last year. So, I think all that experience that he's gained from all around the world sets him in good stead to lead this team moving forward.

[Reporter:]

And [Eoin] Morgan, who obviously knows the set-up, knows the captain, knows the players very well, has a question about clarity, whether there's been clarity and consistency in messaging from the leadership group how would you what would be your appraisal of that? Not what he said, but whether - Is there good clarity and messaging or has it got a bit confused as results have kind of unravelled?

[Carl Hopkinson:]

No, not at all. The messaging is always the same and has been ever since Mott and Jos took over. Everybody knows how we like to play as a team. We like to be aggressive. We like to be on the front foot. And I don't think that messaging has changed. And I think it is very clear and I've not seen or heard anything to the contrary of that so no I don't think that's the case at all.

[Reporter:]

Obviously, this is a tough place to play with conditions sometimes and you've got a team full of guys in their 30s. The Australia game I think they ran something like 25 or 28 twos. Do you feel like the fitness of the players has been something involved in that, the commitment in the field, anything like that? Or was it just a diagnosis as to how they managed to run as many twos as they did? I think it was the most of any team in this tournament.

[Carl Hopkinson:]

Yeah, look, I think Australia, first and foremost, are good runners between the wickets. I think we actually saved just as many runs possibly in the outfield as they did. I mean I don't log their scores like I do with us but we actually dived and stopped very well in that game like we did in India. I think India's the highest game I've logged in terms of how many runs we saved. So, in terms of that, I don't think so. I think, again, it's about executing skill. I think we did that; we've done that really well over two games. Okay, they did get a lot of twos, but maybe that's more around how Australia ran than anything else, I think.

[Reporter:]

What lessons do you think England can learn from this tournament?

[Carl Hopkinson:]

Well, like I mentioned earlier, I think it's more around actual skill execution and those key moments throughout the tournament. I think it's clear for everybody to see that we haven't got those quite right and as executed as well as we possibly could have done and actually that's what this team's probably known for over the last five or six years so I think that's probably the biggest takeaway for me as a coach.

[Reporter:]

Do England necessarily train enough? I'm not saying they don't but there are quite a lot of rest days between games and then it tends to be two days out a real hard session the day before the game is somewhat lighter session. Is that enough?

[Carl Hopkinson:]

I think the balance between rest and training is always key. I think as a group we like to make sure that when the lads turn up, every training session is a prop on full intensity session. So sometimes if you train all the time, then that can take away from that a little bit But I think we've got the balance. I think we've got the balance pretty right

[Reporter:]

This is the first public press conference since England exited a World Cup that they won so gloriously in 2019. First chance to speak to the fans to explain what went wrong because people are very interested in that. Why do you think that you were selected as the man to front this up and do you have anything to say on that subject? You know, what's your thesis as to what went wrong and why in particular have, they decided you're the man to explain this?

[Carl Hopkinson:]

I'm not quite sure why I'm the man to explain. I think that I'm an assistant coach with the England team and I'm more than happy to come out and speak about our campaign so far.

[Reporter:]

Could you explain then, what's the four-year plan from here to put this right?

[Carl Hopkinson:]

I think first and foremost we have to think about what's coming tomorrow. I think anything that comes after that is what comes after that. We need to be thinking about tomorrow, we need to be thinking about Pakistan because we've got two very important games in which we need to win and win well to qualify for the Champions Trophy, which is what we need to do. And I think you're asking about after that at the moment I want to concentrate on what's in front of us training this afternoon preparing the lads as well as we can for the game tomorrow.

[Reporter:]

I was asking more about the immediate past if you had any idea what you know really what's gone wrong here because that's what people will want to know.

[Carl Hopkinson:]

Yeah, okay. Well, look, I think, I've spoken, I've said it three or four times now, execution under pressure hasn't been what we'd have liked. And I think, we can talk about anything else you like to do, but that's what cricket comes down to, essentially. We haven't done that as well as we normally do.

[Reporter:]

How do you improve execution under pressure?

[Carl Hopkinson:]

It comes from lots of things. It comes from, first of all, doing it in a game, winning games of cricket, which gives you confidence, but then ultimately it comes from your training as well, which every single one of the players is always trying to put right, and this group is well-renowned for pushing the boundaries of their own game and always looking to improve.

 

[aukhan]

We will definitely win if Haris Rauf is dropped.

 

[Shafi]

According to sources Babar is adamant to bring Shadab instead of Abrar. What a selfish mentality. Needs to be kicked out along with Shadab forever.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Pakistan Team in the nets getting ready

 

[salman24]

According to sources Babar is adamant to bring Shadab instead of Abrar. What a selfish mentality. Needs to be kicked out along with Shadab forever.

Right decision no point in bringing in an untested player to a knockout game. Shadab has added vital runs in the bottom order in all the games he has played and is a great fielder . He can bowl just as well as Mir has and we should've played Abrar earlier. HIm making his debut int he World cup[ at this stage does not make sense unless it's forced.

 

[7sins]

Will we go with 4 seamers again. Only change might be of shadab replacing agha

 

[LegendAli]

We will definitely win if Haris Rauf is dropped.

His replacement surely won't be as expensive.

 

[zulfiqar]

I think Pakistan can beat this current England team whether they bat first or second. If NZ do win the SL game, we're essentially backed into needing to field first - so that we know exactly what needs to be done in the 2nd innings. If SL beat NZ, or their game gets rained out, I'd want Pakistan to bat first. I think the English team will be suspect while chasing.

 

[MenInG]

According to sources Babar is adamant to bring Shadab instead of Abrar. What a selfish mentality. Needs to be kicked out along with Shadab forever.

Don't think Babar being adamant can beat ICC rules

Abrar is NOT in the 15-member squad.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

England Captain Jos Buttler post-match press conference:

[Reporter:]

How important is it that you guys finish with a win on Saturday against Pakistan, not just for Champions Trophy qualification, but I guess for leaving with something you can build on for the future?

[Jos Buttler:]

Yeah, vital. It's a huge game for us. We haven't performed the way we wanted to this whole trip, and we'd like to leave India putting in a proper performance. So, yeah, it's a huge game for us.

[Reporter:]

Do you think this effort would be enough against Pakistan? You had a slip-up in between while batting. Do you think a similar performance would be good enough against Pakistan?

[Jos Buttler:]

Yeah, they’re a top team. We look forward to a really good game against them and it will start again. But yeah, we can take confidence from the stuff we've done well today.

 

[Kianig89]

Gus Atkinson may carry the legacy of so many bowlers having a field day in their first encounter with Pakistan, the list is long from Peter Siddle, to Doug Bollinger to Clint Mckay to Mcdermott Marcus North to Ryan Harris to Craig White to Stuard Broad to Steve Finn to Chris Tremlett to Kyle Abbott to Paul Harris to Johan Botha to Ajantha Mendis.

Take your bet Mr. Atkinson

 

[mominsaigol]

Pakistan shpuld win, England is a mess. India innthe semi's will require a miracle. We are in no shape to win.

NZ vs Sri Lanka will be rained off

 

[Kianig89]

Pakistan shpuld win, England is a mess. India innthe semi's will require a miracle. We are in no shape to win.

NZ vs Sri Lanka will be rained off

Pakistan shpuld win, England is a mess. India innthe semi's will require a miracle. We are in no shape to win.

NZ vs Sri Lanka will be rained off

Man to Man

Fakhar Bairstow
Shafiq Malan
Babar Root
Rizwan Buttler
Saud Brook
Ifti Stokes
Shadab Moeen
SSA Woakes
Rauf Willey
WasimJr. Rashid
Hassan Atkinson

Fakhar Babar Rizwan SSA , only 4 players seem better than England's

 

[mominsaigol]

Man to Man

Fakhar Bairstow
Shafiq Malan
Babar Root
Rizwan Buttler
Saud Brook
Ifti Stokes
Shadab Moeen
SSA Woakes
Rauf Willey
WasimJr. Rashid
Hassan Atkinson

Fakhar Babar Rizwan SSA , only 4 players seem better than England's

Fakhar > Current bairstow, Bairstow is Done and out of it after injury.

Sahfiq > Malan. Malan is more impactful but all his scores this cup have been against minnows, otherwise he's failed against even the barest of semi decent bowlers.

Babar > Root, Root hasn't played for 4 years, he's done.

Current Rizwan > Butler. Butler in prime is >>>>>>> Rizwan but Butler is also a gone case now.

Saud > Brook. Brook is a hack, again he's more impactful only and if he performs then it's damger for Pakistan but otherwise he's a hack and not as consistent even if saud is just another soft scorer.

Stokes > Ifti even in Stokes Current form.

Shadab won't play, they'll go with the same pace team and one spinner. But yes moeen > Shadab.

Bowling wise their bowlers are slightly >.

Current England batting is dead, they just have malan and Stokes. Every one else is a tail ender and Brooks will only perform once in a blue moon.

2023 England is ironically the 2nd weakest team England have ever sent to a world cup, 1st weakest being 2015 England

 

[jnaveen1980]

Unless someone from England out of the blue plays a freak innings this is Pakistan's game to lose.

 

[Rana]

Unless someone from England out of the blue plays a freak innings this is Pakistan's game to lose.

This is the worst time for Pakistan to play England if you ask me.

They have had their shockers this tournament. Stokes and co will ensure CT qualification

 

[Technics 1210]

Pakistan will beat England - it's in the bag!

 

[jnaveen1980]

This is the worst time for Pakistan to play England if you ask me.

They have had their shockers this tournament. Stokes and co will ensure CT qualification

Yea. let us see what sort of track it is going to be. If it is very dry like the last match half tracker specialist Adil Rashid will have some bite. Also slow cutter bowlers will be in business. Express pace will travel. It will suit Pakistan batsmen better with not much pace and bounce.

 

[Rana]

Yea. let us see what sort of track it is going to be. If it is very dry like the last match half tracker specialist Adil Rashid will have some bite. Also slow cutter bowlers will be in business. Express pace will travel. It will suit Pakistan batsmen better with not much pace and bounce.

England will most likely play same team

Woakes
Willey
Atkinson
Rashid
Ali

Wood might play because Pakistan do have a mental block against him

 

[Civil]

If there had to be one ground in India for a must win match for Pak I guess Kolkata would be it?

 

[MMHS]

PAK must bat first in this contest, whatever the wicket is, unless it’s a rain curtailed game at the toss.

This English side, has lots of quality and ability - they are over aged as a group and probably lack the hunger as they have swept white ball game in last 4/5 years… normally, such teams are dangerous when they bat first. It’s a QF for PAK, even if NZ looses - just one of English top 6 bats for 25+ overs, can take this game away from PAK. This is Eden, ball will swing here under lights.

And, if Kiwis wins the game, then PAK will need to win by like 170 runs or inside 20 overs - I think, second one will be tougher.

 

[Rana]

A few things to note

-Malan is in good form
-Bairstow and Butler are due scores
-Harry Brook knows Pakistani bowlers inside out
-Babar Azam plays Woakes and Willey very well out of all world pacers
-Adil Rashid will probably remove Iftikhar

 

[Firebat]

Not only do we have to beat them but we have to beat them big. It will be a very tall order, especially with them coming back into form now.

Batting first is a must.

 

[mumtaz]

We will know tomorrow but I don't think beating big is an option. Pakistan's only bet is a SL win or a washed out NZ-SL game.

 

[adi_62941]

Just watch a video of Babar sitting with Fakhar after that NZ match, saying, 'If rain had not come during the NZ match, maybe we would have chased that target,' to which Fakhar replied, 'No maybe, we would have won 100%.

That's the mindset of our captain and think tank.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Just watch a video of babar sitting with fakhar after that NZ match and saying "if rain had not came during NZ match, maybe we would have chased that target" to which fakhar replied "no maybe, we would have win 100%"

Thats the mindset of our captain and think tank

Babar was also saying he was asking Fakhar to only play shots if it's in his zone and not force big shots.

Babar has a conservative mindset and I don't believe captains with that mindset go on to achieve greatest feats in any sports.

Also one of the reason why Fakhar has more match winning knocks than Babar in ODI Cricket, despite Babar having a more consistent record.

 

[Kianig89]

Pakistan journey at the WC

Defeats in both Warmups

A lackadaisical type victory against Ned

A rare victory against SL

A routine collapse led to defeat against Ind

A task too much type defeat against Aus

A shocking defeat against AFG

A harsh defeat against SA

A lucky escape win against NZ
-----------------

Apart from the 20 over period against NZ , Pakistan in the remaining 300+ overs have been completely flat

 

[saqib.rai]

Pakistan journey at the WC

Defeats in both Warmups

A lackadaisical type victory against Ned

A rare victory against SL

A routine collapse led to defeat against Ind

A task too much type defeat against Aus

A shocking defeat against AFG

A harsh defeat against SA

A lucky escape win against NZ
-----------------

Apart from the 20 over period against NZ , Pakistan in the remaining 300+ overs have been completely flat

I can analyze the way you have and even make Virat Kohli look like a 3rd class mediocre cricketer

Be a bit supportive of our team. The batsman and the fast bowlers did their bit

Spinners let us down yes but we lost a very very tight game against the second best team in the tournament South Africa otherwise would have easily made the semis

 

[Suleiman]

Babar was also saying he was asking Fakhar to only play shots if it's in his zone and not force big shots.

Babar has a conservative mindset and I don't believe captains with that mindset go on to achieve greatest feats in any sports.

Also one of the reason why Fakhar has more match winning knocks than Babar in ODI Cricket, despite Babar having a more consistent record.

This weak mentality shows in Babar’s batting approach as well.

Simon Doull called out Babar as well and a lot of his fans did not like it.

Babar has the ability to play great innings but his timid mindset holds him back. Simon said that too.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Pakistan journey at the WC

Defeats in both Warmups

A lackadaisical type victory against Ned

A rare victory against SL

A routine collapse led to defeat against Ind

A task too much type defeat against Aus

A shocking defeat against AFG

A harsh defeat against SA

A lucky escape win against NZ
-----------------

Apart from the 20 over period against NZ , Pakistan in the remaining 300+ overs have been completely flat

Still they sit at number 5 right now. Better than 5 other teams below them. Just goes to show how in World Cups it's not easy to make a comeback. Only Australia has been able to do that.

 

[Kianig89]

I can analyze the way you have and even make Virat Kohli look like a 3rd class mediocre cricketer

Be a bit supportive of our team. The batsman and the fast bowlers did their bit

Spinners let us down yes but we lost a very very tight game against the second best team in the tournament South Africa otherwise would have easily made the semis

Virat Kohli has runs which unfortunately most of our batters lack and India are unbeaten how come they will look like 3rd class

 

[Kianig89]

It ain't over until it is over but in Pakistan case it is finally over

 

[saqib.rai]

Virat Kohli has runs which unfortunately most of our batters lack and India are unbeaten how come they will look like 3rd class

No I meant as an overall player not in this tournament specifically

The 3 most important ODI matches he played between 2014 and 2019 (time where he was undoubtedly the best ODI batsman)

2015 WC semi-final vs Australia
2017 CT final vs Pakistan
2019 WC semi-final vs New Zealand

He scored single digits in all 3 matches and India lost all 3. All 3 were also run chases- where he is supposed to be good at

Point is, everyone has shortcomings. Our team in this tournament lacked quality spinners. Still managed to do well and would have reached semis if that close game against South Africa had gone our way

 

[batandballbattle]

Looks like this won't have any bearing on qualification now. With nothing to lose we shpuld try and play freely and hopefully still win to go out on a high at least

 

[MenInG]

Looks like this won't have any bearing on qualification now. With nothing to lose we shpuld try and play freely and hopefully still win to go out on a high at least

I am fearing a a few hundreds from us in this meaningless game.

 

[batandballbattle]

I am fearing a a few hundreds from us in this meaningless game.

Would be very pakistan-esque.

 

[shah9425]

It's pretty much over for our team

 

[Vikram1989]

Babar and Rizwan can stat pad happily on a difficult Eden Gardens pitch now.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Cricket matches between England and Pakistan have often been fraught affairs, with rows over umpiring, allegations of ball-tampering, abandoned fixtures, court cases and a spot-fixing scandal all contributing to a tense relationship.

Below AFP Sport looks back at some of the biggest rows ahead of the teams' World Cup clash in Kolkata on Saturday:

1956: The umpire and the bucket of water

Pakistani umpire Idris Baig was 'kidnapped' by England players, taken to the team hotel in Peshawar and doused with buckets of water.

The late Donald Carr, the England captain, dismissed the incident as a prank in the light of what the tourists thought were some questionable decisions.

But what was intended as a joke has often been cited as the root cause of many subsequent rows.

1982: Constant complaints

At a time when international cricket fixtures were still controlled by just two home-appointed on-field officials, Pakistan objected to umpire David Constant on their 1982 tour of England.

Pakistan were then particularly upset by his decision to give Sikander Baht out caught in a series decider at Headingley where England squeezed home by three wickets.

"I don't want to give an excuse for us losing the series but Constant made what, for us, were some costly mistakes in this match," said Pakistan captain Imran Khan.

Pakistan also complained about the experienced Constant on their 1987 tour and his Test career finished the following year.

1987: Mike Gatting and Shakoor Rana

The Faisalabad Test of 1987 became infamous for perhaps the most heated of all on-field arguments when Pakistani umpire Shakoor Rana accused England captain Mike Gatting of illegally moving a fielder late on the second day.

Gatting, adamant he had done nothing wrong, responded to being a called a "cheat" by Rana by confronting the square-leg umpire and the two men were soon pointing fingers at each other.

Rana refused to stand on the third day, meaning there was no play, but after a rest day and shortly ahead of the fourth day's play, Gatting presented the umpire with a scribbled apology.

1992: Swing into action

Reverse swing, still a relatively new concept in English cricket, was deployed to great effect by touring Pakistan fast bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

But their success, which England failed to match, attracted suspicions of illegal ball-tampering and matters came to a head during a one-day international at Lord's.

Bad weather meant the game went into a second day, when a trio of English officials -- on-field umpires Ken Palmer and John Hampshire together with third umpire Don Oslear -- ordered the ball be changed under Law 42, which deals with the condition of the ball.

Administrators, horrified by a possible scandal, refused to announce publicly why the ball had been changed -- something that angered Pakistan, who then had to confront numerous allegations.

Meanwhile, home batsman Allan Lamb gave an interview to Britain's Daily Mirror headlined "How Pakistan Cheat at Cricket".

1996: Imran bowls over Botham in court

Having competed fiercely against England's Ian Botham when the duo were two of the world's leading all-rounders in the 1980s, Imran then got the better of his old rival in court.

He won a libel case in London after Botham and Lamb accused him of calling them uneducated racists during a newspaper interview with India Today journalist Shekhar Gupta.

"I've been vindicated," said Imran after the verdict. "I never called anyone a racist, under-class and a cheat.

"I am also happy that Pakistani cricketers have been vindicated. They had been called cheats throughout," added Imran, who later became Pakistan's prime minister.

2006: Forfeit at The Oval

England were bystanders as Pakistan became the first team in 129 years and 1,814 fixtures to forfeit a Test match.

The incident began on the fourth afternoon at The Oval when experienced Australian umpire Darrell Hair tapped his shoulder to indicate five penalty runs, signalling he had found Pakistan guilty of ball-tampering.

The angry tourists refused to take the field after tea and Hair, together with West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove, took that to mean they had forfeited the match which, following hours of uncertainty, was awarded to England.

This Test marked the beginning of the end of Hair's time as a top umpire after it later emerged he had offered to resign in exchange for $500,000.

2010: Spot fixing at Lord's

Pakistan's tour was mired in controversy following a spot-fixing scandal in the Lord's Test when, in a newspaper sting operation, then captain Salman Butt instructed pacemen Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif to bowl deliberate no-balls.

The trio were all later banned and jailed.

When the teams returned to Lord's for a one-day international, England's Jonathan Trott, now coaching Afghanistan at the World Cup, and Pakistan's Wahab Riaz had to be separated in the nets after exchanging angry words.

Source: France 24

 

[saqib.rai]

Play Imam, Shadab, Nawaz, Usama Mir, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf

They have served Pakistan with dignity and deserve a FAREWELL match

 

[Rana]

Babar and Rizwan can stat pad happily on a difficult Eden Gardens pitch now.

Yeah God forbid if they have to bat for the team and nrr

 

[Vikram1989]

Yeah God forbid if they have to bat for the team and nrr

If nz wins today, pcb should sack babar before the last match .they should not give him any chance to resign or hog to the post.

 

[zaidihusain]

This dead rubber match is a great opportunity for Babar & Imam to score a century like how they did in last matches against New Zealand & Bangladesh respectively in 2019 WC after failing in initial 5-6 matches. All the best Babar & Imam

 

[Major]

pakistan is out of the world cup. There is no way they can chase that mamoth target

 

[batandballbattle]

Fakhar 305* loading

 

[Buffet]

Given Pakistan's bowling, this game is virtually irrelevant now.

 

[Champ_Pal]

There should be a 3rd option in the poll. The result is immaterial. Its over for both Pakistan and England.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Very interested to see what happens now as it is next to impossible to make it to the semis if they bat second.

The only way for them is by batting first and having one hell of a match with the bat and ball both.

England has nothing to lose and I would really appreciate if they show the ultimate act of sportsmanship by inviting Pakistan to bat first If in case they win the toss allowing Pakistan a fair shot at semis.

I firmly believe they have this much grace in them.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Why would they lose out on chance for CT 2025 qualification on purpose.

Very interested to see what happens now as it is next to impossible to make it to the semis if they bat second.

The only way for them is by batting first and having one hell of a match with the bat and ball both.

England has nothing to lose and I would really appreciate if they show the ultimate act of sportsmanship by inviting Pakistan to bat first If in case they win the toss allowing Pakistan a fair shot at semis.

I firmly believe they have this much grace in them.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Why would they lose out on chance for CT 2025 qualification on purpose.

It won’t make Pakistan’s chances of winning any better.

It would just allow for a fair game of cricket allowing both teams to win and secure their purpose.

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

pakistan is out of the world cup. There is no way they can chase that mamoth target

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Very interested to see what happens now as it is next to impossible to make it to the semis if they bat second.

The only way for them is by batting first and having one hell of a match with the bat and ball both.

England has nothing to lose and I would really appreciate if they show the ultimate act of sportsmanship by inviting Pakistan to bat first If in case they win the toss allowing Pakistan a fair shot at semis.

I firmly believe they have this much grace in them.

I agree with you.

Because what's the point for even a neutral to watch the match if England bat first?

Match is over at the toss then.

Pakistan batting first keeps the fans interested, neutrals interested and suspense going.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Pak has to bat first and score 400+ , the more the better.

I know it's tough but just give it your all. If they lose its fine. Just go all guns blazing. Play it like a t20

 

[Kroll]

Pointless, could be all over at toss or within the few overs if batting first.

 

[Bhaijaan]

England will earn my respect forever if they invite Pakistan to bat first.

 

[Savak]

Pakistan needs to target 500. Aim for six every ball. Go out trying