Wherever Pakistan go, they are followed by this cliche of them as an unpredictable team. Certainly England would have expected to win this match, having just beaten them 4-0 in the series before the World Cup and then watching their batting line up crumble in their opening match against the West Indies. It had been Pakistan's eleventh straight defeat in ODIs. So really, all the signs before the match pointed England's way. But I think the thing with Pakistan really is that they can often just be slow starters in tournaments. Certainly they're a team with a lot more talent than the eleven defeats would suggest, and that streak had to end at some point. Unfortunately for England, that day was today. Pakistan had been many people's tips for a semi-final place before the tournament began, predictions that were hastily revised after their first match but will probably be hastily revised now again.
Where England's fielding was so excellent last Thursday, it wasn't so hot today. It's not to say they didn't have their moments - good catches did come in the deep from Woakes and Bairstow - but there were many more moments that seemed to stand out as opportunities for runs to be saved, a far cry from match one where it felt like nothing would get past them. There were overthrows, a dropped high skyer from Roy, and other moments where their ground fielding was lacking. Not many matches in this cup have yet been decided by fine margins - but this one was, and so these were moments England were made to rue.
England scored two centuries, by Root and Buttler, but still couldn't get over the line today. There aren't many times that will happen, so it's a big credit to Pakistan and their bowlers that they were able to contain them enough, and prevent that final acceleration that has so often taken England to their best scores. It was especially pleasing to see the bowling of Shadab Khan, returning to the side after missing the previous ODI series with illness and taking two wickets - and unluckily missing out on a third with a dropped catch/stumping chance. Two more men who missed that ODI series, Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz (the latter returning from a two year absence), also shared five wickets between them - four crucially coming at the death.
It was a time ripe for a lower order cameo or two. Four wickets fell in the first 22 overs, so something would likely be needed even with Root and Buttler making it to three figures. Chris Woakes did chip in, his 21 runs coming from 14 balls. It would have been a great opportunity though for Moeen Ali, once England's opener, now coming in at number seven, but whose form has lately been a concern. He hasn't really made many meaningful knocks for a while now, and the talk of the strength of England's lower order doesn't always feel so true. I'd love to see Moeen in the runs again, he's one of those wonderfully likeable players both in terms of character and in that effortless style he exudes when he's doing well. Even with his three wickets today though I worry that he might be one looking over his shoulder when the tournament ends.
So England were defeated, Pakistan deservedly victorious. In this long round robin format, it won't cause England too much concern - over nine matches you would still expect them to come first or second. They remain a brilliant batting side, coming close to pulling off a World Cup record chase - and the sort of chase we've seen them make before. But they can't chase it down every time, and need to tighten up again to not give themselves so much work to do.
England, match two: Pakistan win by 14 runs
The ramblings of an ever suffering but ever optimistic follower of English cricket.
