England face a tough task against Pakistan in the immediate weeks before the World Cup, which will provide opportunities for young players to stake a claim in both camps.
Current England’s coach, Trevor Bayliss, has said that some key players will be rested for the series against Pakistan which is scheduled to be played in May.
England are all set to play a 5-match ODI series where both teams will be looking to reserve some players, giving them apt time to be 100% match fit for the World Cup.
Trevor Bayliss said:
Obviously, the World Cup is a 50-over competition but we’re going to have to have a good hard, long chat about that World Cup squad. We’ve got a one-dayer against Ireland and then five against Pakistan before we have to finalist that squad so there are some important games coming up.
April 23 we’ve got to a 15 but we can change it right up until the May 22 so that Pakistan series will play a part, I think, in our final decision.
Pakistan selectors have rested Sarfraz Ahmed for the series against Australia and are looking to invest in youth this time around; selecting 18-year old Mohammad Hasnain who bowled the 150 kph delivery in PSL 2019 and also Abid Ali.
It remains to be seen if likes of Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad, Rumman Raees, Junaid Khan and Umer Khan – top performers of PSL 2019 – will also be given the chance in England if more players are rested for that series.
