The day of reckoning has arrived. Pakistan must humiliate the ICC Cricket World Cup holders, England, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday (today) if they are to have any chance of reaching the semifinal stage.

The Pakistan team started the World Cup with two wins, against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. A four-match losing streak has cost them dearly.

Defeats by India and Australia were manageable but the next two defeats against Afghanistan and South Africa left them in despair.

Only the brilliance of Fakhar’s 126* from 81 balls against New Zealand in their last match has kept them alive in the tournament at this stage.

In fairness, the contest is not quite a ‘dead-rubber’, but near enough. For Pakistan to enter the World Cup semifinals at New Zealand’s expense, it needs to win by 287 runs at a venue where the average first-innings score is 242. Or it has to chase a target down with 47.2 overs to spare. For England, the only thing to play for is a seventh-place finish, which will guarantee a spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Both teams have landed in the City of Joy on the back of victories. Pakistan, powered by a sensational century from Fakhar Zaman, beat the Kiwis last Saturday to breathe fresh life into its campaign only for the same Black Caps to nearly snuff it all out with a convincing victory over Sri Lanka.

England’s 160-run win over the Netherlands in Pune on Wednesday snapped a wretched five-match losing run and seemingly released the handbrake which Jos Buttler & Co. has been playing with.

Also at test will be one of the widely accepted truisms that ‘cricket is a funny game where anything can happen’. Pakistan progressing will be blockbuster evidence, but on this occasion, it is likely to prove a fanciful prophecy.

Head-to-head record

Pakistan vs England ODI record ahead of their World Cup group game at Eden Gardens:

Last 10 meetings

14/06/2017: Cardiff - Pakistan won by 8 wickets

08/05/2019: The Oval, London  - No Result

11/05/2019: Southampton - England won by 12 runs

14/05/2019: Bristol - England won by 6 wickets

17/05/2019: Nottingham - England won by 3 wickets

19/05/2019: Leeds - England won by 54 runs

03/06/2019: Nottingham - Pakistan won by 14 runs

08/07/2021: Cardiff  - England won by 9 wickets

10/07/2021: Lord's - England won by 52 runs

13/07/2021: Birmingham - England won by 3 wickets

Overall

England wins: 56

Pakistan wins: 32

Tied: 0

No result: 3