Champions Trophy 2025: Here's Why ENG vs PAK Cricket World Cup Match Is 'Must Win' For England

England face Pakistan in their ultimate ODI World Cup 2023 league stage match on November 11, in Kolkata.

England face Pakistan in their ultimate ODI World Cup 2023 league stage match on November 11, in Kolkata.

England have already been eliminated from ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semifinals race, losing to Pakistan is not an option because their prospects of making it to the Champions Trophy 2025 rely on the outcome of today's PAK vs ENG ODI World Cup 2023 match.

India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Pakistan have already confirmed their spots for the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, the last two qualification spots are still up for grabs, with four teams battling it out.

As per the ICC regulations, the top seven teams and the host nation, Pakistan, will earn qualification for 2025 Champions Trophy.

A victory for England in ENG vs PAK World Cup match would put them in a prime position to secure qualification for Champions Trophy 2025. However, if England face defeat against Pakistan, today, it would open the door for Bangladesh and the Netherlands to potentially win their final league stage matches in the ODI World Cup 2023 and solidify their spots in the Champions Trophy 2025.

Currently, England hold the seventh position on the points table with four points from eight matches. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands also have four points each, securing the 8th, 9th, and 10th positions, respectively. However, given that both Bangladesh and the Netherlands have one match remaining, they have the potential to accumulate six points, enabling them to secure a place in the top eight.

If Babar Azam's Pakistan defeat England by 287 runs or more, or successfully chase the target within 2.5 overs, they will surpass New Zealand in net run rate and clinch a spot in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semifinal against India.

Bangladesh are underway in their encounter with Australia in their last group-stage match. To advance, Bangladesh need to defeat Australia and rely on either England, Sri Lanka, or the Netherlands losing their final match or failing to achieve a superior Net Run Rate (NRR) than them.