ICC Champions Trophy 2017 – Captain’s Corner – 5 Tactics England Must Use To Beat Pakistan
Nov 2, 2023 at 3:41 PM
England has asserted their dominance in this tournament like no other side. Topping Group A with three crushing victories, the hosts are now set to lock horns with the second qualifying team from the other group, Pakistan. The two sides clashed in a 5 match ODI series last year and England were all over the men in green.
This tournament, however, has witnessed the resurgence of Pakistan with two morale-boosting wins as they defeated South Africa and Sri Lanka. Going into this game, England is the overwhelming favourites, but taking Pakistan for granted would be an absolutely dire move. It was right here in England in 2009, when Pakistan stunned South Africa in the semi-final of the World T20 and marched to glory.
In order to ensure that there are no hiccups in their way, England would have to do a few things and use a few tactics, such as:
- Use Jonny Bairstow as an opener:
In the pre-match press conference, skipper Eoin Morgan dropped hints suggesting the likely return of Jonny Bairstow in the team. If he is indeed back at the expense of Jason Roy, then England would just be left with one full-fledged opener in Alex Hales. Moeen Ali can contribute with a few priceless runs, but as an opener, he isn’t reliable. Instead, the returning Bairstow should be used at the top of the order with Hales. This season so far in the domestic One Day games, Bairstow has impressed a lot while opening for Yorkshire. A good and steady Test batsman, Bairstow shouldn’t have too many difficulties while opening the innings.
- Joe Root continues to set the base:
The correlation between Joe Root playing efficiently in the middle overs and England finishing on a high is quite high indeed. In the first two games of England’s campaign, Root was exceptional amassing a ton and a half century. Known to be a big match player, expect this batting sensation to be at his best against Pakistan tomorrow. The last time Pakistan toured England for an ODI series, Root was among the runs, and could well be tomorrow if recent form is anything to go by.
- All-rounder Stokes crushes Pakistan:
There isn’t a more valuable player in the world right now than Ben Stokes. The New Zealand-born English all-rounder set this tournament ablaze with a century against Australia that left everyone emphatically spellbound. Stokes can bat anywhere in the middle order and other than milking the singles, he can finish with a flurry as well. His wicket taking ability with the bat remains top notch as well and against a fragile Pakistani batting outfit, he could find himself amongst the wickets again.
- Adil Rashid wins the middle overs battle:
The most successful spinner in world cricket behind Imran Tahir since 2015, Rashid has been a mere sensation for England. The leg spinner’s wicket taking abilities are ferocious indeed and he remains Eoin Morgan’s go-to man when a wicket is desperately needed. The wrist spinner single-handedly decimated Australia’s lower order with four wickets and turned the game. Against a batting lineup that hasn’t played wrist spin well, Rashid would be eyeing another impressive outing.
- Pacers continue good show:
The pace trio of Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett and Jake Ball have been a lethal bowling trio for England. First, they knocked over New Zealand comprehensively and then Australia in successive games. Relying mainly on their pace and accuracy, the three pacers will be keen on continuing the good show against Pakistan. Considering their knack of picking up wickets and remaining miserly, the Pacers must be rotated well throughout the innings.