England playing exceptionally well in recent times in all formats will lock horns with predictably unpredictable Pakistan tomorrow at MCG, Melbourne in the final of T20 World Cup 2022.
The teams meeting at MCG brings back the memory of 1992 when Imran Khan’s cornered tigers won ICC World Cup beating English Lions. Both teams won once in the past the T20 World Cup.
In recent times they competed against each other in bilateral contests. Pakistan overpowered New Zealand in the first semi final played at SCG Sydney by 7 wickets. England blew away favorite India battering them by 10 wickets. The battle between two even matched teams is expected to present a mouth-watering contest.
Notwithstanding the even balance of this two sides, some observers are talking about history repeating itself as there has been marked similarities between Pakistan’s road to MCG this time with that of 1992. Pakistan was almost in the brink of exit in 1992. Their group match against England was rain interrupted when England was heading for a definite win. The result of some other matches going in their favor led Pakistan qualifying. Pakistan won the semifinal played against New Zealand at Auckland as budding youngster Inzamam Ul Haq played a belligerent innings.
This time also Pakistan losing to India and Zimbabwe was almost knocked out. On the last day of group matches Netherlands upsetting South Africa dramatically created opportunity for Pakistan. Getting the life line Pakistan beating Bangladesh by 5 wicket moved into the final. Here again Pakistan rocked New Zealand beating them by 7 wickets. Pakistan ticked all boxes right in that match. Now Pakistan meets the same opponent England at the same venue where Imran- Miadad –Wasim – Inzamam’s Pakistan beat England by 21 runs in the final.
As far as quality of players, present form there is very little to choose between the two sides. Openers Buttler and Hales in many ways are comparable with prolific Babar Azam and Rizwan. Pakistan’s brittle order comprising of Shan Masood, Mohammad Haris, Iftikhar and Shadab have done reasonably well to be compared with David Malan, Sam Curan, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingstone and Moeen Alli. English tail is however stronger.
The advantage that England has over Pakistan in batting can be offset by the Pakistan’s bowling edge over England. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rouf, Nasim Shah, Wasim Junior Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz are marginally better than Wood, Woakes, Stokes, Curran and Adel Rashid.
England have not played at MCG this time .Their match against Australia was washed out. Pakistan played its first match there against India and lost narrowly.
Whatever people say about history repeating both teams have even chance of winning. It will all depend on how English batters encounter the challenge of Pakistan’s pace quartets and Shadab. Babar back in form and Pakistan’s dynamic middle order may play English attack well. However, Buttler, Hales, Stokes, Livinstone can change the colexion of any match.
Both teams bowled and fielded exceptionally well in the semifinals. Let us hope that the weather does not interfere. MCG has an excellent drainage system. It will be an even contest. Toss may matter.
BDST: 1316 HRS, NOV 12, 2022
SMS
