ODI World Cup 2023: England’s strongest predicted playing XI against Pakistan

England (ENG) will look to salvage some pride as they take on Pakistan (PAK) in Match 44 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Saturday, November 11 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The Jos Buttler-led side has had a forgettable campaign so far as they’ve won just two matches out of eight. They’re ranked on the seventh spot on the points table with four points from eight matches.

Despite having been knocked out of the tournament, the Three Lions still have a lot to play for as they need to win their last fixture to ensure their qualification for the Champions Trophy 2025. Hence, England will have to field their best Playing XI to defeat Pakistan in their last game who’re looking to script a miracle to qualify for the semi-finals.

Here's England's Predicted XI against Pakistan:

Openers: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan

Jonny Bairstow has had a forgettable campaign so far as he’s scored 156 runs from eight innings at an average of 19.50 and a strike rate of 85.71. The 34-year-old, who’s possibly playing his last ODI World Cup will look to end the tournament on a high with a big innings.

Dawid Malan has been the only England batter who’s performed consistently for their side in the tournament. The southpaw has scored 373 runs from eight innings at an average of 46.62 and a strike rate of 103.32 with one hundred and two fifties to his name. Malan will be eager to end the tournament on a high with another big knock with his bat.

Check Here: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

Middle Order: Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler

Root began the tournament with back-to-back good innings in the first two matches. However, he failed to replicate his performances in the next six matches and could only manage to score 57 runs. The 32-year-old has been a vital player in the England middle order for a number of years and will look to emulate end the tournament with a big knock to help his side qualify for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Ben Stokes sat out of the tournament due to his injury in the first few matches but later returned to change England’s fortunes. However, he failed in the first three matches but went on to score 64 and 108 in the last two fixtures to find his form back. Stokes will look to end his ODI career on a high with a big knock and help his side seal their place in the Champions Trophy 2025 qualification.

Young batting sensation Harry Brook also failed to live up to his reputation as he scored 139 runs from five innings at an average of 27.80 and a strike rate of 104.51 with one fifty to his name. The 24-year-old got much-needed exposure of a mega event and will be eager to make a valuable contribution to his team in the upcoming fixture.

The dynamic Jos Buttler has had the worst tournament of all from his teammates as he failed to notch up a single fifty-plus score in eight innings. The England skipper could only score 111 runs from eight innings at an average of 13.87 and a strike rate of 89.51. Having failed to fire so far, Buttler will look to end the tournament with a big innings.

All Rounders: Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes

Moeen also didn’t have a memorable tournament with the bat as he could score just 87 runs from five innings at an average of 17.40 and a strike rate of 71.90. With the ball, he’s picked three wickets from five innings at an average of 62.66. Hence, Moeen will look to put his below-par performances behind him and help England qualify for the Champions Trophy 2025 with his all-round show.

Chris Woakes has performed decently in the tournament as he scored a brilliant 51 in the last fixture against the Netherlands. Earlier, he picked 4/54 against Australia. The 34-year-old has scored 127 runs and nine wickets in the tournament so far and will look to continue his good form against Pakistan as well.

Bowlers: David Willey, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid

David Willey has had a decent tournament so far as he’s picked eight wickets from five innings at an average of 25.37 and an economy of 4.95. The left-arm seamer has already announced his retirement from ODI cricket and will look to end his career on a high with a match-winning spell against Pakistan.

Gus Atkinson also hasn’t had a memorable tournament having picked just two wickets from two matches at an average of 50.50 and an economy of 6.31. The 25-year-old will be eager to rattle the Pakistan batting with his searing pace and help his side end the tournament on a winning note.

Adil Rashid was supposed to be the most important bowler for England in the tournament. The wrist-spinner lived up to his reputation by finishing as the leading wicket-taker for his side with 13 wickets to his name from eight innings at an average of 27.53 and an economy of 5.13. Rashid will look to add more wickets to his tally on the spin-friendly surface in Kolkata and will be eager to help his side win their last game.

Also Check: Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023

Here's England's Predicted XI against Pakistan:

England Playing XI: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid