World Cup 2023 | ENG vs PAK, Match 44 - Top Captain and Vice-captain Picks

image-losio1bmDawid Malan need to find his form back in the last game of World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

Defending champions England (ENG) lock horns with Pakistan (PAK) in what is supposed to be an almost dead rubber contest in the ongoing sixteenth edition of the World Cup. Match No. 44 is scheduled for a doubleheader Saturday, November 10, 2023, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata at 14:00 PM IST. The reigning champions have had a disastrous campaign as they have won only two out of the eight games played. Jos Buttler and his side are already knocked out of the competition while Babar Azam's men have a mountain to climb. They need to beat England by a margin of 287 runs to pip New Zealand's net run rate and go through to the semi-final. Before the fixture goes live, here is a look at the top captain and vice-captain choices for the fantasy contests of this encounter.

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ENG vs PAK, 44th Match: Venue Analysis

The stadium has shorter boundaries and a lightning-fast outfield. The batters enjoy their time in the middle while the track also offers help to the spinners. England's Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid will crucial on spin-friendly surface in Kolkata.

Eden Gardens Stadium ODI Records

Matches: 34
Matches Won Batting First: 20
Matches Won Batting Second: 13
No Result: 1

Average First Innings Score: 237
Average Second Innings Score: 205

World Cup 2023 Record

Matches: 3
Matches Won Batting First: 2
Matches Won Batting Second: 1

Average First Innings Score: 253
Average Second Innings Score: 143
Highest Total Recorded: 326/5 by India vs South Africa
Lowest Total Recorded: 83/10 by South Africa vs India


ENG vs PAK, 44th Match - Toss Factor

Teams batting first have emerged victorious on two occasions out of the three games played so far at the venue in this WC. Runs on the board might help so the skipper winning the toss may look to bat first.

Scenario: If England Fields First

Spinner Adil Rashid is the only bowler with over ten wickets for England so far in this campaign. He has picked up 13 wickets at an average of 27.53 and an economy rate of 5.13. He will play an important role on Kolkata track as he look to continue picking up wickets in the middle overs. Dawid Malan and Ben Stokes are the leading run-getters for England and the duo will be key in a run-chase.

Scenario: If Pakistan Fields First

Star Pakistani pacer Shaheen Afridi is leading the bowling charts for his side in this WC. The left arm seamer has snared 16 scalps at an average of 26. He would hope to break the back of England's batting line-up by getting some early and quick wickets. Wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan and opener Abdullah Shafique have over 300 runs to their name as they will be vital in a big run-chase.


ENG vs PAK, 44th Match - Top Captain and Vice-captain choices

Scenario: If Pakistan Fields First

Mohammad Rizwan (PAK)

Mohammad Rizwan has struck the most runs for Pakistan so far. The no. four right-handed player has 359 runs to his name at an average of 72 which includes one century and one half-century. Pakistan's reliable batter will look to end the campaign on a high by getting a substantial score udner his belt while chasing.

Abdullah Shafique (PAK)

Opener Abdullah Shafique has racked up the second-most runs for his side in this campaign. The right-handed batter has amassed 336 runs at an average of 48 with one hundred and three half-centuries. Shafique would hope to provide his side to a strong and solid start if they are up against a big target.


Scenario: If England Fields First

Dawid Malan (ENG)

Dawid Malan has smashed the most runs for his team in this marequee tournament. The left-handed opening player has mustered 373 runs in eight innings at an average of 47. Malan has one hundred and two fifties to his name so far. With the rest of the batting line-up failing miserably, it is Malan on whom England will depend a lot while chasing.

Ben Stokes (ENG)

Star all-rounder Ben Stokes participated in the competition late but is still the second highest run-scorer after Malan for England. The no. four left-handed batter has scored 220 runs in five innings and is averaging 44.00. Stokes has scores of 64 and 108 in his last two outings and is the man in form in a disastrous WC campaign for England.


ENG vs PAK, 44th Match - Big Risk, Big Return Choices

Joe Root (ENG)

After smashing two half-centuries (77 and 82) in the opening two games, Joe Root's form has suddenly seen a dip. The no. three right-handed batter is a quality player and England rely heavily on him to hold the innings together. He is the glue in this line-up and would look to end the horrendous WC on a high by getting back amongst the runs.

Babar Azam (PAK)

A lot was expected from Babar Azam in terms of both captaincy and batting. The 29-year old has 282 runs to his name at an average of 40.28 with four half-centuries. He would liked to score more runs in this WC and can still do that against the defending champions in what is almost a dead rubber fixture. Babar is a risky but a worthy pick in this tie.