England will look to redeem themselves from their abysmal performance in Tests when they take on Pakistan in the first of four ODIs on Monday.
The tourists had gone into the Tests with the knowledge of the difficult task ahead of them but not in their wildest dreams would they have imagined a 3-0 whitewash. Pakistan’s spinners were all over them like a rash and England capitulated hard against the quality.
It will get harder in the ODIs. England have never known to be a great side in the limited overs edition of the game, having only recently lost to India in India, 0-5.
Fortunately for them, they have a few young players in the side, who wouldn’t have experienced the pangs of the 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan. With Ian Bell shown the door, Jonny Bairstow, Danny Briggs and Jos Buttler are the new-comers into the side, while likes of Samit Patel, Jade Dernbach and Steven Finn will come into the squad after missing the Tests.
Pakistan warmed up for the game with an ODI against Afghanistan and while they won it easily, it wasn’t a usual low-key affair against an Affiliate nation. The two countries are neighbours and given the support for both the nations in the UAE, there were many fans which thronged the stadium. This atmosphere would have switched the Pakistani side into the ODI mode and they will feel much better prepared for the game.
Shahid Afridi continued his wicket-taking mode as he grabbed five wickets in that game, while Younis Khan contributed with the bat. Younis’ century in the last Test against England and the unbeaten 70 he got against Afghanistan will hold him in good stead for the game.
The last time Pakistan and England played against each other in an ODI series, it was frayed tempers and suspicion that pushed the cricket as a side show. England went on to give up a 2-0 lead before winning the final game and the series 3-2. They will hope for a similar scoreline here.
The Pakistan v England 1st ODI of the series will be played from 11.00 am GMT, February 13.
