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Pakistan vs England 4th ODI: Sharjeel Khan vs Mark Wood and other key battles

With a day's gap in between Pakistan head to play England at Headingley, Leeds in the fourth ODI, with a lot more than pride at stake.

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Joe Root scored 85 in the third ODI at Trent Bridge © Getty Images
Joe Root scored 85 in the third ODI at Trent Bridge © Getty Images

444 for 3. No England didn’t declare with that total. They ran out of their quota of 50-overs. A Men vs Boys sort of a clash saw Pakistan succumb to a 169-run defeat at the hands of Eoin Morgan’s ODI side. With plenty of records tumbled, England, not only sealed the series 3-0 at Trent Bridge, they rubbed the noses of the opposition in dirt. Azhar Ali’s bowlers had seen the beating of a lifetime at the hands of Alex Hales and co. But well, the problem with international cricket is that, you do not have time to reflect on your wins or losses. With a day’s gap in between Pakistan head to play England at Headingley, Leeds in the fourth ODI, with a lot more than pride at stake. And if Nottingham didn’t deliver on those promised key battles, here are some that you can definitely expect to see in the next ODI. Full Cricket Scorecard: Pakistan vs England, 4th ODI at Headingley

Azhar Ali vs Critics: The Pakistan ODI skipper has come under heat after the thrashing in the last ODI, with experts and former Pakistan greats even questioning his appointment as the captain of the ODI side. “It is time for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to admit they made a mistake in appointing Azhar as the ODI captain and appoint someone else for the series against the West Indies next month. It made no sense to appoint Azhar last year even though he was not in the ODI team since 2013,” said former Test captain Javed Miandad said. READ: Javed Miandad criticises Azhar Ali after ODI series defeat

Azhar will although have to lead his team in the next ODI, not bothering about what is being said about him and contribute. It’s time when, he needs to answer with his bat.

Chris Woakes vs Pakistan’s top-order: England’s star of the summer, Woakes was phenomenal in the third ODI as well.  His figures read 4 for 41, in spite of him bowling just 5.4 overs. As a bowling all-rounder, Woakes has risen among other genuine bowlers in his team. He did that in Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and he has continued doing so in ODI’s as well. He took the first three wickets, punctured the Pakistani top-order which had to play a critical role if Pakistan were to chase down 445 runs and ended as the top wicket-taker after taking the wicket of Mohammad Aamer as well, who registered the highest score ever by a No.11 batsmen. READ: Pakistan vs England, 4th ODI: Likely XI for Azhar Ali’s men as they play for pride

Wahab Riaz vs Mohammad Irfan: Wahab Riaz hasn’t had a good ODI series so far. In the third ODI, while Hales scored a spectacular hundred, Wahab conceded one. Wahab’s figures read 0 for 100 in 10 overs. While he had a fantastic fourth Test against England, he hasn’t been able to bring that into the ODI series.

With Mohammad Irfan, the 7 footed left-armer, brought in the squad in place of Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan might bring play him in the fourth ODI. And Wahab might well have to be sacrificed.

Sharjeel Khan vs Mark Wood: Sharjeel Khan has easily been a talent to watch out for. To attack has been his trademark style of playing. Whether his hundred against Ireland or his quickfire 58 against England in the last match, he has played to his strengths, almost picking every other delivery and sending it to the leg-side boundary. If Pakistan could have won the last game, Sharjeel would have had to stay at the crease till at least the 20-over mark. But he couldn’t. Although, before departing he did smash Mark Wood for plenty. Not only Wood, but Woakes too. Wood though, was unlucky as Hales dropped a simple catch which could have given him the left-hander’s wicket. The battle though will still be an interesting one to watch for.

(Karan Dewana reporter with CricketCountry, loves following and playing sports. He is a Team India fan and loves winning. Follow him on his twitter handle @karan13dewan)

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