England is all set to take on the Pakistan in Match 44 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 on Saturday, November 11 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Both the teams have a star-studded squad that can change the course of the game with their abilities. England is the favourite to win this encounter against Pakistan.
England and Pakistan have a fierce rivalry in the format. Both teams have played 91 ODI matches, with England winning 56 games and Pakistan winning 32 games so far in the head to head encounters. In this article, we will take a look at the key player battles to watch out for in the match 44 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 between England and Pakistan.
Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: England vs Pakistan 3 Players to Avoid in Your Fantasy Team for Today Match
Here are three player battles to watch out for during ENG vs PAK match:
1) Babar Azam vs Adil Rashid
In the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam will face off against Adil Rashid. The spinner has dismissed Babar three times in One-Day Internationals, conceding 144 runs at a strike rate of 107.4. Babar, in turn, has struck six fours and an equal number of boundaries against Rashid. In the ongoing tournament, Babar has amassed 282 runs in eight matches, while Adil has claimed 13 wickets.
2) Jos Buttler vs Shaheen Afridi
England skipper Jos Buttler has struggled with form in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, tallying just 111 runs in eight matches at an average of 13.87. Eager to make an impact in England’s final World Cup match, Buttler will be up against Shaheen Afridi, who has displayed good form in the tournament with 16 wickets in eight matches, including a five-wicket haul.
3) Fakhar Zaman vs Chris Woakes
Fakhar Zaman delivered a stellar century against New Zealand in the recent match, scoring 126 runs off 81 deliveries with eight boundaries and 11 sixes. Powering Pakistan to a 21-run victory on D/Ls, Zaman now faces Chris Woakes, who holds a strong record against him. Zaman has been dismissed thrice in five ODI matches against Woakes, accumulating 63 runs at a strike rate of 134. Woakes has taken nine wickets in the tournament so far.