It has been an historic time for Pakistan. “We all know its a bigger challenge, but we’re all very excited, the guys, the way they’re shaping up, especially the youngsters coming in, the guys who are coming back into the team”. Waqar implored a change in style, in many one-to-one conversations he openly expressed his desire to see his batsmen play shots and alleviate themselves of the fear of failure.
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However, their bowling line-up will be significantly more potent than that which lined up against England in the UAE in the winter and should ensure that this evolving side are more competitive.
The equation isn’t complicated any more: Pakistan must start winning ODI games immediately and after walking all over a below part Ireland, Azhar’s side have to blank England 5-0 to improve their chances of qualifying directly for the 2019 World Cup.
Durham quick Wood and allrounder Ben Stokes have been included after recovering from injury.
Hampshire allrounder Liam Dawson is the only player uncapped in the squad and gets the call-up after his impressive T20 worldwide debut against Sri Lanka last month.
Introduced by the England and Wales Cricket Board this summer, the multi-format points system will determines an overall victor between England and Pakistan across all three formats.
Pakistan’s bowling attack is their strength.
He’s back on the horse, that’s for sure.
“I am loving the competition”, Morgan said. Now he is slamming his front foot down with confidence, and the ball is responding with vicious results. Strap in and watch. He feasted on the medium pace and gentle spin offered up in Malahide to crack 152 off 86 balls and put himself amongst Shahid Afridi in Pakistan’s fastest hundreds. Wood is the obvious replacement, although Chris Jordan will come into the equation.
Pakistan will lock horns with England in the first One-Day International (ODI) at The Rose Bowl, Southampton today (Wednesday). “Jos is fully fit and will definitely play”.
Hampshire left-arm spinner Liam Dawson – at his home ground – could therefore come into the XI for his first ODI cap alongside Moeen Ali and Yorkshire’s Adil Rashid. That would mean a longer tail, but four specialist bowlers.
“The finger is good”, he said. Southampton has the highest run-rate of any of England’s regular ODI venues. All they need to do is to carry their Test form and the attitude into ODI series.
In the meantime, Pakistan were involved in two-match ODI series against Ireland. But the ODIs are a completely different format and they will look to put on a good show against the Eoin Morgan-led side.
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“I think they are ranked ninth in one-day cricket which is odd because historically they have been a very good one-day side”. “It’s going to be the first time in my career that I’m going to play in Australia the first week of the season and I’m really excited about it”, 14-time Grand Slam champion Nadal said in a statement.
