England have been a quality unit in the ongoing ODI series against Pakistan, with two back-to-back victories giving them a 2-0 lead. Pakistan have no room for mistakes after the two losses, and are in serious need of a victory in the third ODI at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Tuesday.
With a healthy lead, England are in a buoyant mood, and will go for the kill in the third ODI. A victory for the Three Lions will help them clinch the series with two matches to spare.
Things have not gone according to plan for Pakistan in the series, with their players not able to shine in crunch situations. To make it worse, the Men in Green suffered a serious blow when Mohammad Hafeez suffered a calf injury ahead of the second ODI, and Sami Aslam, who played as an opener, failed to deliver in the last match.
Pakistan's top order was in shambles, with three wickets going down for just two runs. Though Sarfraz Ahmed scored a century to help them come up with a respectable score of 251 runs, it was not enough as England chased the target without much discomfort, with Joe Root and Eoin Morgan striking half-centuries.
The visitors have to come with their A-plus performance in all departments of the game in the third ODI to defeat England. It is their batsmen, who need to provide a good target for England, who have had it easy so far. Pakistan have scored 260 and 255 so far in the series, batting first.
England, on the other hand, have no problems, with all their players delivering the goods in both matches. Bowlers like Chris Woakes and Mark Wood have been excellent with the ball, taking wickets and not giving easy runs, while Joe Root has cracked two half centuries on the trot. Now, they will be even more confident with Ben Stokes, who played as a specialist batsman in the first two matches due to injury, ready to bowl in the third ODI.
If Stokes is given a chance to bowl, it will spell more danger for the Pakistan batsmen, who have not been able to cope with the pace and extra bounce in the series.
"The plan from the start was to be fit and ready to bowl by the third ODI. By the way things are going it is looking likely I will be an option for Eoin Morgan in Nottingham if needed. I have done all the prep to get myself fit and put my hand up and say I am ready to bowl. I bowled for about 15 minutes flat out and all the build-up stuff I needed to do has been done," ESPNCricinfo quoted Stokes as saying.
Pakistan have a huge job on their hands, but they have the ingredients to defeat England in the third ODI. A win for Pakistan in Nottingham will make the series interesting.
Where to watch live
England vs Pakistan 2nd ODI is scheduled for a 2 p.m BST (6:30 p.m IST, 6 p.m Pakistan time) start.
India - TV: Star Sports 2/HD. Live Streaming: Starsports.com
Pakistan – TV: PTV Sports. Live streaming: PTV Sports live
UK: TV: Sky Sports 2. Live Streaming: Sky Go
Australia: TV: Fox Sports 5. Live Streaming: Foxtel Play.
