Summary Back-to-back wins boost Green Shirts’ Tri-Series campaign
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Pakistan ended a seven-year wait for an ODI victory over England with a commanding 87-run triumph in the tri-nation series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Arafat Minhas delivered a remarkable all-round performance, scoring a crucial half-century before claiming six wickets as England were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs while chasing a target of 303. Pakistan’s previous ODI victory over England came during the 2019 Cricket World Cup, when they won by 14 runs at Nottingham.
The result gave Pakistan their second consecutive victory in the tournament after their 37-run win over Sri Lanka in the opening match. England, meanwhile, suffered a dramatic batting collapse after appearing well placed to chase down Pakistan’s total.
England start strongly
England began their chase with confidence, as Tom Banton and Ben Duckett put together a 91-run opening partnership that threatened to take the game away from Pakistan.
Haris Rauf broke the stand by dismissing Duckett, who scored 43 off 46 deliveries, including eight boundaries. Banton continued to attack and brought up his half-century before Arafat Minhas removed him for 57 off 53 balls, an innings featuring five fours and two sixes.
Minhas struck again shortly afterwards, bowling England captain Harry Brook for five. The double breakthrough shifted the momentum towards Pakistan, leaving England at 128 for three after they had looked comfortable during the opening stages.
Joe Root attempted to stabilise the innings alongside the middle order, while Sam Curran contributed to England’s efforts to rebuild. Root scored 33 off 35 deliveries, including five boundaries, before Naseem Shah bowled him to reduce England to 165 for four.
Rauf then dismissed Curran for 27 off 39 balls, further weakening England’s position as the required runs began to slip out of reach.
Minhas takes control
With England needing a strong finish, Minhas took charge of Pakistan’s bowling attack. He dismissed Jordan Cox for 18 and Jamie Overton for one, leaving the visitors struggling at 198 for seven.
The 21-year-old continued to torment England, removing Will Jacks for 19 before trapping Adil Rashid lbw for a first-ball duck. The back-to-back dismissals completed Minhas’s five-wicket haul and left England on the brink of defeat.
Minhas finished with outstanding figures of six wickets for 40 runs in 8.4 overs, adding a decisive bowling performance to his earlier half-century. He also played a part in the final dismissal, running out Gus Atkinson after a mix-up between the batters.
England were all out for 215, losing their final seven wickets for fewer than 50 runs. Rauf claimed two wickets, while Naseem took one as Pakistan completed a convincing victory.
Pakistan fight back
Earlier, Pakistan had been put under immediate pressure after England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to field. Fakhar Zaman fell for a first-ball duck, caught by Root off Gus Atkinson, while Saim Ayub scored only eight before being dismissed by Sonny Baker.
Babar Azam attempted to steady the innings with 34 off 52 balls, but Will Jacks bowled him to leave Pakistan at 59 for three. Salman Ali Agha, who had scored a century in the opening match against Sri Lanka, managed 16 before falling to Adil Rashid.
Saad Baig contributed 35, but his dismissal at 133 for five left Pakistan in danger of posting a modest total.
Hasan Nawaz and Minhas then produced the recovery Pakistan desperately needed. Hasan struck 79 off 74 deliveries, hitting five fours and four sixes, while Minhas added 59 off 58 balls, including nine boundaries.
Their 78-run partnership transformed the innings and helped Pakistan push towards the 300-run mark. Hasan was dismissed by Jamie Overton, while Baker removed Minhas at 283 for seven.
Faheem Ashraf provided another late surge with 39 off 26 deliveries, including five fours and a six, before Sam Curran dismissed him. Shaheen Shah Afridi scored an unbeaten 10, and Haris Rauf remained not out on four as Pakistan finished on 302 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.
Baker was England’s leading wicket-taker with three scalps, while Atkinson claimed two. Jacks, Overton, Rashid and Curran took one wicket apiece.
Pakistan’s victory strengthened their position in the three-team tournament, which also features Sri Lanka, as the competition continues in Rawalpindi before moving to Lahore.
