RAWALPINDI: Pakistan secured a memorable 87-run victory over England in the second match of the tri-nation series, ending a seven-year wait for an ODI win against the English side.
Pakistan bowled England out for 215 runs while defending a target of 303, with spinner Arafat Minhas delivering an outstanding all-round performance by scoring a half-century and claiming six wickets.
Pakistan Post 302-Run Total
After England won the toss and elected to field, Pakistan posted 302 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
Hasan Nawaz led the batting effort with an impressive 79 off 74 deliveries, while Arafat Minhas contributed 59 runs from 58 balls.
Faheem Ashraf provided a late flourish, scoring 39 off just 26 deliveries. Saad Baig added 35 runs, while former captain Babar Azam scored 34.
Other Pakistani batters struggled to make significant contributions. Fakhar Zaman was dismissed without scoring, Saim Ayub made eight runs, and Salman Ali Agha contributed 16.
Pakistan finished their innings at 302-9, setting England a target of 303 runs to win.
Arafat Minhas Leads Pakistan’s Bowling Attack
England failed to build the partnerships needed to chase down the target and were dismissed for 215 runs, handing Pakistan an 87-run victory.
Spinner Arafat Minhas was the standout performer with the ball, taking six wickets to dismantle England’s batting lineup. Fast bowler Haris Rauf claimed two wickets, while Naseem Shah picked up one.
For England, Tom Banton top-scored with 57 runs, while Ben Duckett contributed 45. Joe Root made 33 runs, and Sam Curran added 27, but their efforts were insufficient to keep the chase on track.
Minhas’s impressive contribution with both bat and ball proved decisive in Pakistan’s comprehensive win.
England Make Changes for the Match
Speaking at the toss, England captain Harry Brook said his team would aim to restrict Pakistan to the lowest possible total. Adil Rashid was included in England’s playing XI.
England head coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged the challenges of playing cricket in subcontinental conditions, saying teams needed to develop strategies suited to the local environment. He also described Pakistan as a strong opponent on home soil.
First ODI Meeting Since 2023
The match marked the first ODI meeting between Pakistan and England since 2023 and their first ODI contest on Pakistani soil in 17 years.
Before this match, the two teams had played 92 ODIs, with England winning 57 and Pakistan claiming 32 victories. Three matches had ended without a result.
Pakistan had also defeated Sri Lanka in their opening match of the tri-nation series, making the victory over England another important result for the home side.
