PAK vs ENG Dream11 Prediction for Today's Cricket World Cup 2023 Match 44, Playing XI, and Captain and Vice-Captain Picks

The last consequential match of the tournament will take place when Pakistan (PAK) will play England (ENG)  in the 44^th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Pakistan will play to make this match to make the most of the slightest chance they have to make it through to the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup.

Pakistan has won 4 out of the 8 matches they have played so far in the World Cup and the win against England in their last league match will ensure that they finish with the same points as New Zealand and then the NRR of both the teams will decide who will play India in the semi-finals. At this point in time, New Zealand has a superior NRR than Pakistan and to surpass the Kiwis, Pakistan will have to beat England by 287 runs or chase whatever total they get in just 2.5 overs.

It doesn’t seem realistic but Pakistan will hope against hope to achieve and it will be nothing short of a miracle it Pakistan manages to do that. On the other hand, England will be playing for a spot in the Champions Trophy. England are already out of the tournament but a win in this match will ensure that they book a seat for themselves in the Champions Trophy 2025.

 Pitch and Playing Conditions

The pitches at Eden Gardens till now have been on the slower side to counter the impact of dew in the second innings so that it is not lopsided in favour of the team batting second. But for this match between Pakistan and England, a fresh pitch will be used and the curator is hopeful that it is going to be a batting track this time.

The average score while batting first on this track has been 242 runs and the temperature will hover around 32 degrees Celsius with 55% humidity.

Players to Watch Out For

Pakistan

Babar Azam: Babar Azam has been Pakistan’s best ODI batter over the years but it hasn’t set the stage ablaze which was expected of him in this World Cup but has played some handy knocks in the tournament. He would look to end the tournament with a bang and will look to convert his starts into a big one.

 Fakhar Zaman: He is one of the most dangerous batters in the limited format and his last knock against New Zealand has shown what he can do if he is in full swing and will be the player Pakistan would bank on to give them a big score.

Shaheen Afridi: He has been Pakistan’s best bowler in the tournament so far and is among the highest wicket-takers of the tournament. He could again be the payer to watch out for in your fantasy team.

England

Chris Woakes: He has been one of the key players for England from both bat and ball, especially from the ball. He has bowled excellently so far in the tournament and in the right areas. If there is something for offer on the wicket, then Woakes is the kind of bowler who knows how to extract it the best.

 Probable Playing XI

England:

Jos Buttler (c & wk), Alex Hales, Philip Salt, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid

Pakistan

Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Grand League Team

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan(vc), Joss Butler

Batters: Johhny Bairstow Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam(C), Ben Stokes

All-rounders: Iftikhar Ahmed

Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Mark Wood

 Head-to-Head Team

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Joss Butler

Batters: Dawid Malan, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam(C), Ben Stokes

All-rounders:  Chris Woakes, Iftikhar Ahmed

Bowlers: Mark Wood, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi(vc)