In a thrilling face-off set to unfold at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Pakistan is gearing up to take on England in the 44th match of the World Cup 2023. This contest carries immense significance, especially for England, who finds themselves in a challenging position after securing only two wins against Bangladesh and the Netherlands. The England team has been grappling with consistent struggles throughout the World Cup campaign. Meanwhile, Pakistan started strong with two victories but faced a setback with four consecutive losses. The team, however, made a comeback with crucial wins against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
The road to the Champions Trophy 2025 adds another layer of pressure for England, as they must finish 8th or above in the World Cup points table to secure a spot in the ICC tournament. On the other side, Babar Azam-led Pakistan, with four wins in eight matches, is eyeing a place in the semi-finals, a feat that hinges on a convincing victory over England.
The historical context between the two teams in ODI cricket spans 49 years and 91 matches. England holds the upper hand, claiming victory in 56 encounters, while Pakistan has won 32 matches.
In the realm of ODI World Cup clashes, England and Pakistan have faced each other in 10 matches, with a closely contested 4-5 record in favor of England, with one match ending in a draw. Their last World Cup encounter took place in 2019.
On Indian soil, the teams have engaged in only two matches, each winning one. The last showdown in India dates back to 1989. The complexities of Pakistan’s journey to the semi-finals involve the pursuit of a substantial victory. If they manage to defeat England by a margin of 275 runs, their net run rate would surpass that of New Zealand. Alternatively, chasing a target would require achieving it in just 2.3 overs (15 balls) to secure a superior net run rate. Eden Gardens, known for its lively atmosphere during the IPL, presents a challenging pitch for the World Cup. Batting here proves to be difficult, with spin bowlers reaping the benefits. Recent performances by Ravindra Jadeja and Keshav Maharaj underscore the spin-friendly nature of the pitch. Notably, finger spinners are expected to thrive more than wrist spinners. A total of 250 runs for the team batting first could well be the winning threshold at this iconic venue. Cricket enthusiasts await an action-packed clash in one of India’s cricket cathedrals.
