ENG vs PAK, World Cup 2023: Eden Gardens pitch curator predicts how 'fresh wicket' will behave

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The much-anticipated England vs Pakistan is all set to be played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 11 (Saturday) during the ICC World Cup 2023. Eden Gardens' pitch curator revealed a fresh wicket would be used during the match and predicted how the wicket would behave.

This will be the first time a fresh wicket will be used during the ICC World Cup 2023. The wicket sported some green patches three days before the game and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) curator Sujan Mukherjee said it would be a "good batting track".

"The track is offering spin and behaving differently because of dew this time around. I'm not sure how much grass will be kept, there's still some time left for the match," Mukherjee told PTI.

Despite the claims of a good batting track, it was evident during the last match that scoring 300 at the venue this time around is a premium with only India managing the feat against South Africa. The match saw Virat Kohli score a gritty century, the joint-slowest of his glittering career while South Africa folded for just 83 runs in response.

Pakistan bowlers have had a tough time in their last game against New Zealand when the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali conceded over 80 runs in their bowling spell on a belter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Pakistan, who are currently fifth on the table and is separated from New Zealand on the fourth spot by virtue of net run rate, requires a convincing win against England, who are playing for a top eight spot in order to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

While New Zealand will take on Sri Lanka, Afghanistan face the toughest challenge facing South Africa in their concluding group stage match. Australia and South Africa are set to clash in the other semifinal.

-With inputs from PTI