Pakistan face England in Lahore today with tri-series final in sight
The ODI tri-series moves from Rawalpindi to Lahore today, and the stakes could hardly be clearer. Pakistan take on England at Gaddafi Stadium at 1pm, in the first match of the Lahore leg — a win sends the hosts into the October 31 final at the same ground, while defeat would leave England all but out of the tournament.
Pakistan have won both their matches so far, beating Sri Lanka by 37 runs and England by 87 runs, both in Rawalpindi. Sri Lanka sit second with one win and one loss. England, bottom of the table after two defeats, have no margin left at all.
Shaheen’s plan: keep England to 250
Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi told reporters at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday that his side would not be overawed by England’s batting, even though the tourists piled up 429 against Sri Lanka in their last outing — and still lost.
“We are not considering which team scored 400 or 500. Our target is to restrict the opposition to around 250 to 260,” Shaheen said. He pointed to Rawalpindi, where Pakistan successfully defended totals of 305 and 302 despite conditions that did not favour the bowlers.
Shaheen also stood by struggling opener Saim Ayub, calling him a utility all-rounder who contributes with the ball and in the field, described Fakhar Zaman as one of Pakistan’s key ODI players, called mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed an important weapon when conditions suit, and praised young Hasan Nawaz for the work he has put in at the National Cricket Academy.
No room left for England
England all-rounder Will Jacks admitted the defeat to Sri Lanka hurt — England made 429 and still lost by two wickets with a ball to spare — but insisted two losses did not mean the side had lost its way.
“We are now in a very simple situation where we have to win both our games, and we are looking forward to the challenge,” Jacks said.
The ground and the record
Gaddafi Stadium is usually good for batting, and Lahore is forecast to be sunny today with a high near 29 degrees. The two sides have met 93 times in ODIs: England have won 57, Pakistan 33, and three matches ended without a result.
