With England taking on Pakistan in a One-Day International at Emerald Headingley in 2019, we take a look at what supporters coming to the game can look forward to.
Both sides are littered with exceptionally talented players, who have come together over the last few years to ensure their team is a force on the international scene.
Despite Pakistan having slipped to number five in the ICC world rankings for ODIs, their potential was displayed last summer when they were crowned winners of the Champions Trophy at the Oval. A side packed full of destructive batsmen, canny spinners and skilful quick bowlers, Safaraz Ahmed’s men will be hopeful of causing yet another upset on British shores next summer when they compete in the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Eoin Morgan’s England have arguably been the most in-form ODI team since they were knocked out of the 2015 World Cup in such a disappointing fashion. Led by an incredibly explosive batting line-up, the Three Lions now have the top two highest team scores in an ODI, made in 2016 and 2018. The latter was a monumental 481 for 6 against Australia this summer. Expectation will be high heading into a big summer in 2019 with England’s dashers hoping to make history and claim their first 50-over World Cup triumph.
Joe Root vs Shoaib Malik – Head to head
Although Root and Malik are at different stages of their careers, with Malik now 36 years of age and Root just 27, the roles they perform for their sides are very similar.
Head to head ???? Joe Root ???? Shoaib Malik
Who will make the biggest impact at next year's Emerald Headingley ODI? #ENGvPAK
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) November 12, 2018
Both players are known for their ‘orthodox’ approach to batting, with Root scoring his runs from number three, whilst Malik tends to ply his trade from the middle order. Both players bowl some more than handy off-spin when required. Both players are considered ‘senior’ players in their sides, with Root leading England’s Test team and Malik having led his country in all three forms of the game earlier in his career.
Both players will also have to hit top form, you would have thought, should either of their sides hope to progress to the latter stages of next summer’s World Cup.
