England vs Pakistan, Pakistan tour of England 2019, Today Match Prediction 19 May 2019

eng vs pak Match Prediction & Analysis

Host England will be looking to maintain their winning streak when they take on Pakistan in the fifth and final game of the one-day series played at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds on Sunday.

In the absence of Eoin Morgan, the home side managed to clinch the one-day series in Nottingham, courtesy splendid performances from Jason Roy and Ben Stokes. Eoin Morgan will be keen to maintain their winning momentum and finish the one-day series on a high.

On the other hand, Pakistan will be desperate to earn a consolation win in this series finale. The team management might make changes in the playing XI for the final game of the one-day series.

TEAMS PREVIEW

England Preview

The home side managed to win the fourth game of the one-day series despite few hiccups in the chase. With this result, England has taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five matches one-day series. With series already in the bag, England will be keen to make changes for the fifth and final game of the one-day series. Captain Eoin Morgan will come into the side after being suspended by the ICC from the previous game due to slow over-rate.

In the batting department, the focus will be once again on the opening pair of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow to put the most number of runs on the board, whereas wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan will shoulder the responsibility to finish big for the home side. 

Opening batsman Jason Roy was the standout performer with the bat for England in the previous game. Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow got England off to a flier in the chase in the previous game and added 94 runs in a space of thirteen overs. Roy notched up his 8th century in limited-overs cricket for England. He scored 114 runs off just 89 balls with the help of eleven fours and four sixes.

Jonny Bairstow also looked in ominous form in the previous game and scored 43 off 39 balls with the help of six boundaries. England’s premier batsman Joe Root once again failed to capitalize on his good start and scored 36 off 41 balls with the help of three fours. He will be looking to produce a big score in the final game of the one-day series.

The big positive for England from the previous game was all-rounder Ben Stokes finding a form with the bat. He looked assertive in his innings and scored unbeaten 71 runs off 64 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes. Stokes kept his cool despite losing wickets at the other end and managed to steer his side to a three-wicket win over Pakistan at Trent Bridge. 

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Tom Curran to pick wickets with the new-ball. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid has struggled to pick up wickets in this one-day series.

England Predicted Playing XI:

Eoin Morgan (captain), Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Roy, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Denly, Moeen Ali/Adil Rashid, Tom Curran, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer.

England Actual Playing XI:

Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, AU Rashid, Moeen Ali, David Willey, Eoin Morgan, Tom Curran, James Vince, Ben Stokes, CR Woakes

Pakistan Preview

Sarfaraz Ahmed-led unit will be desperate to break their winless streak in the fifth and final game of the one-day series at Leeds on Sunday.

The team management will be concerned over the poor skills shown by the bowlers so far in this one-day series. The fielding has been below-par as Pakistan has spilled too many chances against England in this series.

The batting lineup has done an excellent job against England in this one-day series. The side will be relying on in-form opening pair of Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman to put the bulk of the runs on the board. Both the openers have shown excellent form in this one-day series and will be keen to do well with the bat in this dead rubber.

Pakistan’s premier batsman Babar Azam came back to form in style and smashed a splendid century against England at Trent Bridge. He added crucial partnerships with Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez to see Pakistan post 340 for 7 in their 50 overs.  Babar Azam scored 115 runs off 112 balls with the help of thirteen fours and a six. He was well supported by the likes of Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez, who chipped in with half-centuries in the previous game.

All-rounder Shoaib Malik also looked in good touch with the bat and scored 41 off 26 balls with the help of four fours. Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, and Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed chipped in with crucial cameos to see Pakistan post a competitive score on the board.

In the bowling department, there are no major changes expected, which means the focus will be once again on the experienced duo of Hasan Ali and Junaid Khan to deliver breakthroughs with the new-ball. Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim and Mohammad Hafeez bowled well in the previous game and conceded less than seven runs an over.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain &wk), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hasnain, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan.

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, SI Wasim, F Zaman, Hasan Ali, Shoaib Malik, Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Afridi, Sarfraz Ahmed

Weather Conditions

The pitch is expected to be good for batting for this game. The bowlers might get something out of this wicket. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Sunday is going to be mostly cloudy.

Venue

Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds has been a happy hunting ground for England in limited-overs cricket in the past four years. England managed to win their last five one-day games played at this venue. Pakistan has lost their last two games played at this venue.

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would be looking to bowl first and make early use of the overcast conditions. Batting second will be the way to go here at this venue. England has won their last games batting second.