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Karachi, March 2: Pakistan are pitted against England in what has transpired to be an important but pretty dismaying Group B tie in the sixth World Cup Cricket Tournament at the National Stadium here on Sunday.

As of now, Pakistan have just four points from three outings since beginning their campaign to regain the coveted trophy. Although, Pakistan`s victories were notched up against insignifi- cant opposition from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Holland, both having made their debut in World Cup cricket, the defeat at the hands of trend-setters South Africa last Thursday has had a resounding effect around the country.

Having gone down to South Africa in a fashion that belittles the reigning world champions stature, Pakistan has surrendered the right of playing their quarterfinal tie on home soil.

With Pakistan having to face both England and New Zealand in the two remaining Pool `B` matches, they will have to win both to claim the second position and set up a brush with the team taking the third spot in Group `A` being played in India.

The situation in the upper half of the draws is rather fluid with neither of the four quarterfinal aspirants in a position to seal a correct berth on a scale from one to four. By good measure, it would boil down to the finale when Australia and West Indies vie to decide who would emerge victorious on March 4.

Sri Lanka today smothered the pretensions of host India by six wickets to go atop of the standings in Pool `A.` They are fol- lowed by Australia, India, West Indies, Kenya and Zimbabwe respectively.

With newcomers Kenya drubbing West Indies at Pune on Feb. 29, the latter will have to beat Australia in their last group match to ensure a place among the last eight. If not, Kenya, one of the three qualifiers, by virtue of their win against the two-time cup winners West Indies will automatically gain the fourth slot.

So much in the form of tabulations. Pakistan should have all to their liking if not exactly a cake walk in the tussle England. So far, the English had been outclassed by a debilitating 5-1 score- line in the one-day international series in South Africa just be- fore the tournament began, appear to be a thoroughly demoralised outfit.

Up until now, England have dropped four points by succumbing to defeats to New Zealand and South Africa. But having swamped the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Holland, they have in the bag the four vital points to qualify to the quarterfinals in a group that has seen no upsets.

England, have not been able to come up with the perfect combina- tion on two counts namely; fitness and form. The talented Robin Smith has yet to make an appearance in this tournament because of a groin injury. Despite scoring heavily, Graeme Hick is also car- rying a slight hamstring injury.

Then skipper Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart, their top-order batsmen are struggling with their form. Even though, Dermot Reeves has replaced the injured Craig White in the squad, he has still to find a place among the playing eleven.

England lack penetration in the bowling attack and that has further compounded their problems. Indeed, it is a peculiar dilemma. Perhaps, brought about by the changed circumstances in County cricket, restricting the numbers of overseas players.

Tomorrow`s game is to be played on the very same strip that South Africa got the measure of Pakistan. It is a featherbed in every sense of the word and by all accounts ideal for batting. Surely, a perfect track for one-day cricket.

"We are going to revert to our original game-plan by playing three fast bowlers and one leg-spinner. This has served us in good stead over the last three years and we are reluctant to de- viate on this time-tested formula," Pakistan Captain Wasim Akram told `Dawn` at his hotel on Saturday evening before leaving for an outing with his wife Huma, daughter of Pakistan`s Lee Ioccoca.

"Take it from me, Javed Miandad is going to be in the playing side and though we have a team meeting lined up for 7:00 in the evening, I doubt that we would opt for an extra spinner," added Wasim Akram.

Asked to specify in what position Javed Miandad would come in the batting order. Wasim quipped: "We are very flexible where that is concerned and it could be anywhere."

"We are definitely going to try to win and whether we have to go to India to play our quarterfinal is immaterial. We are psyched up and are not afraid of any team. Be it India, Australia or Sri Lanka. If we fancy our chances, we should be able to win in any country," opined the greatest left-handed fast bowler in 119 years history of Test cricket.

Questioned about the fitness of wicketkeeper Rashid Latif, Wasim said: "He is fit but we allowed him to have a rest today."

When quizzed about the condition of the strip, Wasim shot back: "It is a good pitch for a one-day match and it will be full of runs."

"Yes ! our fielding has not been up to the required standard but we have been working hard to improve it and I hope you will see the results of that hard work." stated Wasim Akram.

Asked to divulge on the spirit of the team after the demoralising loss against South Africa. "They are all fine and laughing and have overcome that set back. So you can see the mood is good." concluded the Pakistan captain.

When the great Javed Miandad was asked as to why he skipped the South African game. He said: "In the morning work outs I twitched a muscle in the back and though it fit to drop out at the eleventh hour."

"Needless to say, it would have been risky if I played. It would not had effected my batting but it would certainly would have had a telling effect on my fielding," added the Master-batsman.

"To me my country comes first and I would never let down the team down especially if I am half fit." sated Javed Miandad.

At the time, Javed Miandad`s London-based Doctor Haroon A. Muham- mad, walked in and said he had come to the National Stadium straight from the Airport.

"You can rest assured I`ve put in an enormous amount of working over the past two years trying to get his knee right. And you can believe me, he is in the pink of health and it is in my in- terest that Javed plays against England. Otherwise, I`d think it was a waste of time." said Dr. Haroon A. Mohammad, a Karachi- born Brit- isher, who graduated from D.J. Science College and Dow Medical College alongwith Dr. Philip D`Souza of the Aga Khan Hospital, under the guidance of the late Prof. Rahim.

The teams (from):

Pakistan: Aamer Sohail, Saeed Anwar,Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamamul Haq, Salim Malik, Javed Miandad, Rashid Latif (Wicket-keeper) Wasim Akram (captain), Mushtaq Ahmed, Waqar Younis, Aqib Javed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Ramiz Raja and Ata-ur-Rehman.

England: Michael Atherton (Captain), Robin Smith, Neil Smith, Graeme Hick, Graham Thrope, Jack Russell(wicket-keeper), Neil Fairbrother, Dermot Reeve, Philip De Freitas, Dominic Cork, Dar- ren Gough, Richard Illingworth, Peter Martin and Alec Stewart.

Umpires: S.Venkataraghavan India) and B.C.Cooray (Sri Lanka)

TV Umpire: K.Parthasarthy (India) Match referee: Ranjan Mudugalle (Sri Lan- ka)

© The Dawn