Daijiworld Media Network

Dubai, Feb 18 : Welcome to the 3rd ODI between Pakistan and England from Dubai. When the ODI series started, everybody expected that Pakistan would continue their domination. England have always struggled in the ODI format and on conditions that suited the Pakistani spinners, they were expected to be blown away.

There was a sandstorm early in the morning. However, the wind has died down and the light has improved.

Steven Finn has been the man in form with the ball. He has picked up eight wickets in the first two matches. The English fielders have been very good and Pakistan have found the going very tough.

Pitch Report: There is a little bit of green tinge on it. The pitch looks firm and it is hard. Nick Knight points out that there are some cracks on the good length area and that will aid the spinners. The pitch might get slower as the day goes on.

Younis Khan is not playing for Pakistan today due to an illness. It is a big blow for them.

However, after two ODIs, there is a complete change. England have managed to win the two ODIs in Abu Dhabi and are on the verge of a series win. Alastair Cook has been absolutely marvellous with the bat. His two back to back centuries have ensured that he held the England batting together. Bopara has also come back in form and together, they have tackled the spinners very well.

Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat

Cook: I would have liked to bat first. We hope to put pressure on Pakistan. We are going in with the same team. Everyone is performing well. We have fielded well and hopefully we can repeat the performance. Pietersen is capable and we have had good starts. It would be great to score three hundreds.

Misbah: Younis Khan is ill and Asad Shafiq comes back. The keeper is back in place of Rehman. Shafiq is in good touch. This wicket spins and we need a regular keeper to handle Ajmal and Afridi. We have some plans for Cook. We have to be positive and put our 100%.

Teams:

England (Playing XI): Alastair Cook(c), Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan, Craig Kieswetter(w), Samit Patel, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Graeme Swann, James Anderson

Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Umar Akmal, Adnan Akmal(w), Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema