Summary Pakistan recover from an early collapse to score 302 for nine, setting England a 303-run target in the tri-nation ODI series in Rawalpindi.
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Pakistan mounted a strong recovery after a disastrous start to post 302 for nine in 50 overs against England in the second match of the tri-nation ODI series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, setting the visitors a target of 303 runs.
England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that appeared to pay off early as Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals. However, half-centuries from Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas, followed by an aggressive contribution from Faheem Ashraf, helped the hosts turn their innings around and finish with a competitive total.
Early setbacks
Pakistan’s innings got off to the worst possible start when opener Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Gus Atkinson found the breakthrough, with Joe Root taking the catch to leave Pakistan under immediate pressure.
Saim Ayub managed eight runs before falling to Sonny Baker, with Sam Curran completing the catch as Pakistan slipped to 31 for two.
Babar Azam attempted to stabilise the innings but was dismissed for 34 after facing 52 balls, bowled by Will Jacks. Salman Ali Agha, who had scored a century in Pakistan’s opening match against Sri Lanka, could add only 16 runs before Adil Rashid removed him.
Saad Baig contributed 35, but his dismissal at 133 for five left Pakistan facing the prospect of a below-par total.
Middle-order fightback
Hasan Nawaz changed the momentum with an attacking innings of 79 off 74 deliveries. He struck five boundaries and four sixes, putting pressure on England’s bowlers and giving Pakistan the platform they needed to rebuild.
Hasan found valuable support from Arafat Minhas, who scored 59 as the pair helped revive the innings. Their contributions enabled Pakistan to recover from the loss of five wickets for 133 runs and build a total that looked increasingly competitive.
Hasan was dismissed by Jamie Overton at 211 for six, ending a crucial innings that had kept Pakistan’s hopes of reaching 300 alive.
Arafat continued the fight after Hasan’s departure, bringing up his half-century and accelerating towards the closing overs. His 59 ended when Baker dismissed him, with Brook taking the catch.
Faheem Ashraf added further momentum with 39 runs before Sam Curran dismissed him, with Jacks taking the catch. Pakistan’s late push carried them beyond the 300-run mark.
Pakistan finished on 302 for nine, with Shaheen Shah Afridi scoring 10 and Haris Rauf contributing an unbeaten four in the final over. Baker finished with three wickets, while Atkinson claimed two. Jacks, Overton, Rashid and Curran took one wicket apiece.
England now need 303 runs to win the match and level the contest in the series. Pakistan began the tri-series with a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka, with Salman Ali Agha scoring a century in that match.
Teams will compete across matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
