Pakistan, England look to build ODI future

AFP, ABU DHABI: Pakistan and England will be aiming to build one-day sides for the future as they enter a four-match series in Abu Dhabi starting on Wednesday.
Pakistan, who won the preceding three-match Test series 2-0, will be in a tight corner as they seek huge improvement in their one-day rankings, in order to lift themselves for the 2019 World Cup to be held in England.
Besides hosts England, seven other top-ranked sides as of 30 September 2017, will qualify directly for the World Cup, the only way Pakistan can move up the order is by winning matches against the higher-ranked sides.
Pakistan, currently ranked eighth as compared to England’s sixth, will be hoping they do not repeat their below-par performances they gave in 2012 when they were blanked 4-0 in the United Arab Emirates.
Head coach Waqar Younis believes the current series is an important one for Pakistan.
Under Waqar Pakistan had struggled in the 50-over format, losing to Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand last year before going down in New Zealand and failing to progress beyond the last eight in the 2015 World Cup. But the worst came in Bangladesh where Pakistan were routed 3-0 in April — their first series defeat against the neighbours.

Pakistan, England look to build ODI future

AFP, ABU DHABI: Pakistan and England will be aiming to build one-day sides for the future as they enter a four-match series in Abu Dhabi starting on Wednesday. Pakistan, who won the preceding three-match Test series 2-0, will be in a tight corner as they seek huge improvement in their one-day rankings, in order to lift themselves for the 2019 World Cup to be held in England. Besides hosts England, seven other top-ranked sides as of 30 September 2017, will qualify directly for the World Cup, the only way Pakistan can move up the order is by winning matches against the higher-ranked sides. Pakistan, currently ranked eighth as compared to Englands sixth, will be hoping they do not repeat their below-par performances they gave in 2012 when they were blanked 4-0 in the United Arab Emirates. Head coach Waqar Younis believes the current series is an important one for Pakistan. Under Waqar Pakistan had struggled in the 50-over format, losing to Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand last year before going down in New Zealand and failing to progress beyond the last eight in the 2015 World Cup. But the worst came in Bangladesh where Pakistan were routed 3-0 in April their first series defeat against the neighbours.