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TEAMS: Mercurial Pakistan, the 1999 runners-up, are arguably the most naturally talented team in the tournament, while England, badly out of form, are struggling for confidence after a wretched tour of Australia. Pakistan have a potent attack and a dangerous batting order. England have a useful top-order and several ‘bits and pieces’ players but lack Pakistan’s depth in quality.
FORMWATCH: Pakistan came into the tournament with mixed form, whitewashing Zimbabwe before losing 4-1 to South Africa. They gave the Australians an early work-out in their cup opener before losing by 82 runs, then demolished Namibia by 171 runs.
England have not won a one-day tournament since 2000. After forfeiting their opening cup match to Zimbabwe, they beat Holland by six wickets and defeated Namibia by 55 runs.
HEAD-TO-HEADS: The teams have met 49 times in one-dayers, England winning 28, Pakistan 20 and one match ending in a no result. Pakistan lead 4-3 in World Cup encounters.
PREVIOUS WORLD CUPS: Pakistan beat England in the 1992 World Cup final after fighting back from a poor start to the tournament. In the 1999 final, they crashed to Australia. Semifinalists in 1979, 1983 and 1987, as well as quarterfinalists in 1996.
England reached the semifinals in the inaugural 1975 tournament, and have since featured in three finals — 1979 (losing to West Indies), 1987 (losing to Australia) and 1992. Uninspired performances in 1996 and 1999, however, led to early exits.—Reuters
