New Delhi:
The ODI series between England and Pakistan is proving to be a run-fest. In the first ODI, England managed to reach 373/6 but Pakistan fought hard and lost the match by 12 runs. In Bristol, Pakistan notched up 358/9 with Imam-ul-Haq scoring a brilliant 150. However, Jonny Bairstow’s magnificent 128 off 93 balls helped England chase down 359 with five overs to spare. Despite the heavy losses, Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim believes that the Pakistan cricket team had actually not played badly in the series before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Wasim has expressed confidence that the team can bounce back from the 0-2 scoreline heading into the fourth ODI at Trent Bridge.
“If you take some positives, we have played really well in both games. Credit to England. They have batted really well, it is fine margins. I think the team is confident. We're going to put up a good fight again. Yes, they (England) are (tough to bowl at), that's why they are the number one (ODI) team in the world,” Wasim said.
The ODI at Trent Bridge will take place on a ground that has seen record scores in ODIs. Against Pakistan in 2016, England notched up 444 but against Australia in 2018, the team achieved a new world record by hammering 481 against Australia and it remains the highest team score in this format. Wasim credited the ground staff for producing pitches conducive to batting.
“White-ball cricket is not a bowler's game but credit to the groundsmen and the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board), the wickets they are preparing are unbelievable... It's like a batting paradise. It's going to be a belter for both teams. You have to find a way to contain and try to take wickets,” Wasim said.
Pakistan will be hoping to bounce back in the series against England and they will open their World Cup campaign against West Indies on May 31 at Trent Bridge. Pakistan is the 1992 World Cup champions and they have had major ICC success in England, having won the 2009 World T20 by beating Sri Lanka. In 2017, they won the ICC Champions Trophy by beating India by 180 runs at The Oval.
