We are in the final stretch of the 2023 Cricket World Cup and Saturday night boasts an interesting albeit uninfluential game between England and Pakistan from 7.30pm. Check out our full preview and betting tips for the clash from Mr. Cricket below.
ICC Cricket World Cup Betting Tips
England vs Pakistan
Eden Gardens, Saturday 7.30pm (AEDT)
While Pakistan currently sit in 5th place on the table, just two points behind New Zealand, the difference in net run rate between the two teams is basically unassailable in one game, so these two teams will be playing for pride on Saturday night.
England
It’s been a tournament to forget for the Poms, who have an absolutely dismal 2-6 record through their eight games but they are coming off a win against the Netherlands in their last game. Ben Stokes scored just the 2nd century by an Englishman during the tournament as he blasted 108 off just 84 balls to steer England to 339 off their 50 overs.
In reply, the tandem England spinners in Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid led the way with the ball, each taking three wickets as they bowled the Netherlands out for just 179.
With absolutely nothing but pride on the line for England, it’s hard to know whether or not they will make any changes for their final game of the tournament. Sam Curran was the player of the tournament and of the final in the T20 World Cup last year, but the talented all-rounder has been on the outer for the majority of this tournament. Curran or Liam Livingstone could make their way back into this side for the dead rubber.
Predicted XI: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid
Pakistan
Pakistan were on their way to a world class win over New Zealand before rain stopped play in their last game. Bowling first, they allowed a mammoth 401/6 to the Kiwis, but looked in control of the game at 200/1 before rain stopped play. They were awarded the win on the DLS method, setting up a must win game for New Zealand against Sri Lanka on Thursday night.
Unfortunately for Pakistan, the Kiwis won that game comfortably, meaning Pakistan face an unassailable net-run rate difference in their quest to qualify for the semi-finals. They’ll really be regretting letting their fourth game of the tournament against Afghanistan slip, a win there would have almost secured a spot in the semi finals. Technically they can still make the semi-finals, but would need to beat England by upwards of 280 runs.
Can’t see Pakistan making any changes to the team that looked solid against New Zealand on Saturday night.
Predicted XI: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Hasan Ali, Ahaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf
Betting Tips
Like the value for Pakistan here. I expected them to start as firm favourites for this game given the English form so far in this tournament combined with a really solid Pakistani performance against New Zealand last game.
England’s batting still didnt look super solid against Netherlands despite making 339. A number of their top six had yet another failure in Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jos Buttler and they were largely rescued by a brilliant innings from Stokes.
Back Pakistan to win at healthy odds of $1.91.
