In a defining clash at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, England and Pakistan prepare for a showdown at Eden Gardens. England's journey, marred by a series of defeats, mirrors historic sports disappointments, threatening their future in major tournaments. Pakistan, echoing its 2019 trajectory, clings to fading semi-final dreams. This match transcends a mere contest, embodying a struggle for survival and a testament to the unpredictable nature of cricket.
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Match Preview: England vs Pakistan, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 44th Match
ICC World Cup • 11 Nov, 2023 • 34,871 Views • ⭐ 5.0
Written by Anand Swami


Venue Insights

Eden Gardens in Kolkata, a legendary venue in the world of cricket, is renowned for its propensity to host high-scoring encounters. This iconic ground has become synonymous with batting-friendly conditions, often leading to exhilarating run feasts. The pitch here typically favours the team batting first, as evidenced by an impressive average first innings score of 242. This distinct advantage for batters sets the stage for some memorable and aggressive batting displays.
As the game advances to the second innings, the pitch at Eden Gardens reveals a consistent pattern, with the average score dipping slightly to 198. This trend further highlights the pitch's bias towards batsmen, especially in the early stages of a match. Batters often find ample opportunities to dominate and leave a significant impact on the game.
The ground's tendency to facilitate high-scoring games has made it a beloved venue among cricket fans, who eagerly anticipate the thrill of witnessing boundaries and sixes in abundance. Eden Gardens' reputation as a batsman's paradise thus continues to hold strong, promising an exciting contest filled with run-scoring spectacles.
Form Guide: England

Recent Performance: LLLLW (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
England's journey in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has been tumultuous, marked by a series of defeats that have cast a shadow over their title defence. Their campaign can be compared to some of the most notable sports upsets, like France's performance in the 2002 FIFA World Cup or Lleyton Hewitt's early exit from Wimbledon in 2003. The team suffered six defeats over nearly a month, jeopardizing their participation in future tournaments, including the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The English team's approach has been characterized by a high-risk-high-reward strategy for approximately eight years, leading to significant white-ball success. However, this World Cup saw the risks outweighing the rewards. Their confidence took a hit after unexpected losses, first a heavy defeat against New Zealand followed by an upset against Afghanistan, leading to a rapid decline in performance.
A notable moment of panic was seen in their match against South Africa, where England's decision to field first after making three changes to the team backfired. The team's selection and strategic choices have been under scrutiny throughout the tournament. Nonetheless, they managed to pull off a win against the Netherlands, which, despite being a respectable performance, was not enough to offset the earlier string of losses.
Looking ahead, England faces Pakistan in a match that offers an opportunity to end their challenging tournament on a relatively positive note. The team has historically performed well against Pakistan, winning 14 of their 18 completed ODIs since the 2015 World Cup, including scoring a then-world record total of 444 at Trent Bridge. This match could be a chance for some players in the England squad, potentially playing their last ODI in a World Cup, to leave a lasting impression.