In the 18th over, Pakistan’s score is 75-3 with Rizwan at 24 and Shakeel at 10. Pakistan is not making much progress as Atkinson’s tight bowling only allows for one run. This leaves them with a remaining target of 263 runs in 32 overs.

In 1992, Gary Naylor noticed a similarity between the reactions of openers to Dipak Patel opening the bowling and experiments with rats. According to Naylor, the rodents would repeatedly perform the same action and become confused when they no longer received a reward. However, eventually they realized to try something different and were successful. Naylor does not mean to suggest that trained athletes are less imaginative or skilled at problem-solving than rats.

It’s easy to overlook the historical significance of this event. Out of 720 One Day International matches, a spinner had only opened the bowling five times. As the hosts, defending champions, and top-ranked team, Australia struggled to bounce back from his impressive opening performance in the first match of the tournament.

17th over: Pakistan is at 74 runs for the loss of 3 wickets, with Rizwan scoring 23 runs and Shakeel scoring 10 runs. Shakeel hits two boundaries in a row off Moeen’s delivery, the first being a top-edge over short fine leg and the second being a delicate lap past the keeper.

It is likely that this will be Moeen’s final ODI, and he hopes to take a wicket or two. While his performance in past World Cups has been underwhelming with 24 runs and 52 wickets, he has had a good record in T20 World Cups, disproving any negative opinions about his abilities.

In the 16th over, Pakistan’s score is 64-3 with Rizwan at 22 runs and Shakeel at 1 run. Atkinson throws a fast ball that narrowly misses Shakeel’s attempted cut. He is in good form and has only given up eight runs in three overs. As a result, the required run rate has increased to over eight runs per over.

“According to Kim Thonger, it would be beneficial for Willey to aim for two additional wickets, which could earn him the nickname ‘Willey 101’. This would surely leave a lasting impression.”

Pakistan is at 61-3 in the 15th over with Rizwan scoring 21 and Shakeel at 0. Moeen Ali takes the opportunity to come into the attack as the new left-handed batter, Saud Shakeel, steps up. His initial performance is impressive with spin, bounce, and five consecutive dot balls against Shakeel.

In the 14th over, Pakistan’s score is 61-3 with Rizwan at 20 and Shakeel at 0. The necessary rate has now reached 7.5.

A wonderful occasion in the developing global journey of Gus Atkinson, who successfully caught the talented Babar Azam.

He delivered a pitched ball with his typical accuracy, and Babar hit a powerful shot towards Rashid at the midwicket position. Babar’s disappointing performance in the tournament, with 320 runs at an average of 40, ends on a weak note.

In the 13th over, Pakistan’s score is 57-2 with Babar on 38 and Rizwan on 17. Once this World Cup concludes, I will not miss covering the monotonous middle overs. There are limited ways to describe five singles with low risk, and I have already exhausted the primary one.

“Does anyone else believe that taking 99 wickets would be a great way for Willey to end?” asks Shaun Clapperton. “He’s so close, yet always falls just short.”

I was not, but now I am – that is an excellent observation.

In the 12th over of the match, Pakistan has scored 52 runs for the loss of two wickets with Babar scoring 35 and Rizwan scoring 15. Gus Atkinson comes in to replace Woakes, whose performance with the new ball in the first half of the tournament was not up to par, with a spell of 5-0-27-0. Atkinson starts off with a difficult length and his line restricts any opportunities for wide balls. The over yields only two singles.

In the 11th over of the match, the score for Pakistan is 50 runs with 2 wickets lost. The batsmen at the crease are Babar with 34 runs and Rizwan with 14 runs. Adil Rashid, a key player in England’s successful years, has an impressive record of 194 ODI wickets since the 2015 World Cup, making him the highest wicket-taker in the world. However, what matters more is not the number of wickets, but rather who he takes them against and when – particularly against strong batsmen during the middle overs, a time when England has historically struggled.

On Rashid’s third delivery, Rizwan is outsmarted and in return, he hits a powerful slog-sweep for four runs. Pakistan has made a strong comeback after their initial struggle.