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

Game 44 of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 will feature a clash between Pakistan (PAK) and England (ENG) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, November 11. England have already been eliminated from the tournament, and Pakistan are hanging by a thread. 

With a very slim chance of making it to the knockout stages, Pakistan will have to put in a performance of a lifetime and pull off a miracle if they want to replace New Zealand in the top four of the standings. As the clash approaches, it could be interesting to see how the Babar Azam-led side fields its lineup.

Here's Pakistan's Predicted XI against England: 

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman

Pakistan will be opening their innings with the duo of Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman. Shafique will be coming into the game on the back of a poor performance in his previous game. Only managing to score four runs, Shafique was dismissed quite cheaply in the previous game against New Zealand. As the clash approaches, the opener will look to put in an improved performance.

Fakhar Zaman could be one player who could make a big impact for the side. On the back of a masterful ton in his previous game, Fakhar has been in good form. In the side’s previous game against New Zealand, the opener scored 126* runs in 81 deliveries, and he will look to improve in the upcoming game. 

Check Here: Most Runs in World Cup 2023

Middle Order: Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel

Skipper Babar Azam will look to lead from the front in the do-or-die game against England. Scoring 66* runs in his previous game, it could be interesting to see whether Babar will be able to replicate his performance against England. A lot will depend on the skipper’s performance.

Mohammad Rizwan could be one player that the Men in Green will demand more from. The wicketkeeper did not get to bat against New Zealand, and with scores of 26* and 31 runs in his last two games prior to the Black Caps, Rizwan’s performance could certainly be improved, and he will be keen on doing just that. 

Iftikhar Ahmed has been in subpar form with the bat as well in Pakistan’s recent games, with a wicket in his previous game against New Zealand, it could be interesting to see how Ahmed fares. The side’s middle order has struggled in recent games, and with below-par scores in his recent games, Ahmed will be desperate to improve.

Saud Shakeel could be another player who could make a big impact on his side in the middle order. With a recent half-century against South Africa and not featuring with the bat in his last two games, Shakeel will be fired and ready to go.

All-rounder: Salman Ali Agha

Salman Ali Agha could once again feature for Pakistan in the side’s upcoming game against England. The all-rounder did not feature with the bat in the side’s previous game. Furthermore, in the two overs he bowled, Salman conceded 21 runs and could not take any wickets.

Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf

Pakistan’s bowling attack is where the team will look to shine. Ace pacer Shaheen Afridi will take centre stage and act as a spearhead for the bowling attack. Bowling ten overs in his last game against New Zealand, Afridi failed to take any wickets and conceded 90 runs in the process.

Hasan Ali was one of the few bowlers to take any wickets for Pakistan in the side’s previous game. Taking on New Zealand, Hasan Ali bowled ten overs, conceded 82 runs, and took one wicket. As the side faces England, Hasan Ali will be keen on improving.

Mohammad Wasim Jr could be a guaranteed pick for Pakistan in their upcoming clash. Being in the highest wicket-taker for the side against New Zealand, Wasim took three wickets and conceded 60 runs in 10 overs.

Haris Rauf has not been able to stand up to the expectations either. Taking one wicket, the ace pacer conceded 85 runs in his previous game against the Black Caps. As the clash against England approaches, Rauf’s spell could come in handy against the Men in Green.

Also Check: Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023

Here’s Pakistan’s predicted XI against England:

Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf