KARACHI: After losing the third T20I by 63 runs, the Green Shirts are eager to win the fourth match of the historic seven-match series against England today (Sunday).
The high-octane match between Pakistan and England will be played at 7:30 PM at the National Stadium, Karachi.
Pakistan’s eyes are focused on winning the series as England leads the series 2-1 with four matches remaining.
Pakistan have been facing major problems with both their bowling and batting, which is a big question mark over the make-up of the team ahead of the T20 World Cup starting next month in Australia.
While England continue to test their healthy bench, Pakistan are unable to do so due to lack of top stuff on the bench and injuries to some key players, The News reported.
In Friday’s third show, Pakistan made no changes while England made three changes, including pacers Reece Topley and Mark Wood, who both clicked.
Debutant Will Jacks made a big impact with the bat, scoring a blistering 22-ball 40 which set the pace for Harry Brook (81) and Ben Duckett (70) who put on an unbeaten 139-run partnership. For the fourth wicket in T20.
Pakistan’s bowling lacked discipline which helped the visitors post a mammoth total of 221-3 in the allotted 20 overs.
Pakistan then lost four top-order wickets with just 28 on the board. Pakistan buckled under the pressure and managed only 158-8.
Shaun, who made his debut in the opening game of the series, played some brilliant strokes and his intent against the spinners was a great sign for the hosts that at least they got someone who could shoulder the burden of the middle order in a time of chaos. However, the team needs something more to strengthen the middle order which has been exposed time and again in recent matches.
Khushdil showed some backbone but Iftikhar Ahmed failed once again when he was expected to carry the batting load.
Pakistan will need to test at least one uncapped player regardless of the results as this is the only step to finalize the chemistry of the brigade before the big event.
Bowling has always been Pakistan’s strength and if the opposition scores as big as it did on Friday, the weaker batting will surely not be able to chase it down.
England, also battling injuries to some of their key players including captain Jos Buttler, will be looking to extend the lead. England have proved in the series that they have strong back-up players who can fill the gap.
If Pakistan are to win the game considering the issues in their batting line-up, they will need to perform well with the ball.
A handful of Pakistan players including stumpers Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Asif Ali, Khushdil Shah, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, and Amir Jamal took part in an optional training session at NSK here on Saturday.
Karachi League will have its last show (today) on Sunday. The teams will travel to Lahore to engage in three final matches which will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium on September 28, 30 and October 2.
Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (Captain), Shadab Khan (Vice-Captain), Amir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Haris, Muhammad Hasnain, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Waseem Jr., Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Durmani, Shaan Masood, Usman Qadir
England squad: Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali (vice-captain), Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Liam Dawson, Richard Gleeson, Alex Hales, Tom Helm, Will Jacks, David Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Ollie Stone, Reece Topley, David Wiley, Chris Woakes, Luke Wood, Mark Wood.
