England vs Pakistan 5th ODI Prediction

If PAK Bat First

Predicted Score: Around 260

Sarfraz Ahmed, Azhar Ali and Imad Wasim are the standout performers with the bat for Pakistan in this series. With a fifty and a hundred in the first and second game respectively, Ahmed is second only to Joe Root on the runs list. Azhar Ali has now scored twice in the 80s and there is a good chance that he may go on to top-score again. Imad Wasim adds nice batting strength to the lower middle-order. He has struck two fifties and has remained unbeaten in each of his three innings. If these three can bat well, Pakistan should be able to score around 260.

England have shown discipline in their bowling right through the series. David Willey and Chris Jordan were given their first game in place of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, and they both did well especially Jordan who picked up two wickets. Willey took a four-for in his last match at this ground against Sri Lanka which makes him worth backing up for the best bowling figures from England. Adil Rashid bagged a couple of wickets in this match and three in the last match, and the leg-spinner can be expected to make a considerable impact in the final ODI as well. Pakistan will struggle to reach the predicted score if they lose early wickets, Ali and Ahmed in particular.

Eng vs Pak Head-to-Head in ODIs

Prior to this series, England and Pakistan have played 8 bilateral ODI series with each other in England. The hosts have emerged winners in all of them except the very first (2-match series) which was won by Pakistan by a 2-0 margin in 1974.

The two teams have met only once at the Sophia Gardens and that match in 2006 ended without a result.

Our Prediction

Pakistan have not been allowed to gain a foothold in this series at all. Their spirits had been demolished in the third game of the series itself when their bowling - the one thing the team is famed for - conceded the highest ODI total. Their bowlers have not lived up to the expectations and batsmen have lost their wickets whenever they have tried to step on the gas.

The only positive there is to draw for Pakistan is that England have never whitewashed them in a 5-match bilateral ODI series in England in the history of white ball cricket. But that could change soon, given the way England are performing. Their seamers have taken way too many wickets than the Pakistani seamers while the presence of Stokes and Bairstow has reinforced their batting depth.

England, on their turf, have now won five consecutive games against Pakistan and we have every reason to believe that they can make it six in a row and secure their first ever series whitewash.