England face make or break Pak clash today
Sunday, 7 June 2009
LONDON, June 6(AFP): England captain Paul Collingwood faces a test of his leadership credentials ahead of their ICC World Twenty20 clash with Pakistan at the Oval after their shock loss to the Netherlands.
Friday's stunning four-wicket defeat by the minnows in the tournament opener at Lord's means England cannot afford another reverse Sunday if they are to progress to the second round Super Eight phase.
England, surprisingly, left out off-spinner Graeme Swann and all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas from their team that played the Dutch while star batsman Kevin Pietersen was ruled out with an Achilles tendon injury.
South Africa born shotmaker Pietersen, who remains doubtful for Sunday's match, is capable of clearing the ropes - something England lacked against the Dutch, with the visitors' scoring four sixes to the hosts' none.
Friday's stunning four-wicket defeat by the minnows in the tournament opener at Lord's means England cannot afford another reverse Sunday if they are to progress to the second round Super Eight phase.
England, surprisingly, left out off-spinner Graeme Swann and all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas from their team that played the Dutch while star batsman Kevin Pietersen was ruled out with an Achilles tendon injury.
South Africa born shotmaker Pietersen, who remains doubtful for Sunday's match, is capable of clearing the ropes - something England lacked against the Dutch, with the visitors' scoring four sixes to the hosts' none.