Match Summary
- Pakistan: 302-9 (50 overs)
- England: 215 (38.4 overs)
- Result: Pakistan won by 87 runs
England endured a difficult start to their winter schedule, falling to a sloppy 87-run defeat against Pakistan in the opening match of the one-day tri-series in Rawalpindi. Across a demanding calendar that includes tours to four countries, the visitors’ errors proved costly, allowing Arafat Minhas to dictate the game for the hosts. The outcome was a defeat in their first ODI in Pakistan since 2005 and a loss in their first taste of tri-series ODI cricket since 2015.
Pakistan reached a total of 302-9, anchored by a powerful 79 off 74 balls from Hasan Nawaz and Arafat’s crucial 59 off 58. The innings was helped by England’s missed opportunities, most notably when wicketkeeper Jordan Cox dropped Arafat while he was on 12. In total, England spilled three catches throughout the fielding display. Pakistan 302-9 (50 overs): Baker 3-65; Nawaz 79 (74), Arafat 59 (58). Asked to bat, Pakistan were 190-5 in the 37th over when diving wicketkeeper Jordan Cox put down Arafat on 12, one of three catches England dropped. Cox dropped two catches behind the stumps, Sonny Baker was expensive with the new ball and Banton squandered the platform to make a huge score at the top of the order. When night fell, Arafat produced his magical spell to the delight of a noisy full house.
Chasing a target that represented the second-highest successful ODI run chase at Rawalpindi Stadium, England began brightly before losing their momentum.
Ben Duckett was dismissed for 45 after a top-edged pull shot, and Tom Banton departed for 57 when he mistimed a shot off Arafat to mid-wicket. At 91-0, Ben Duckett top-edged a pull to depart for 45 and, crucially, Tom Banton was caught for 57 when he shovelled Arafat’s long hop to mid-wicket.
England eventually lost their final seven wickets for just 50 runs, ending their innings at 215 all out following a calamitous run-out involving Gus Atkinson.
Arafat proved instrumental with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 6-40. His impact was highlighted by a delivery that bowled captain Harry Brook for five. Alongside him, Naseem Shah kept the pressure on by bowling Joe Root for 33. This performance marked the best figures by a Pakistani spinner against England in ODI history. England 215 (38.4 overs): Banton 57 (53), Arafat 6-40. Then bamboozled England by taking 6-40 with his left-arm spin, the all-rounder made a crucial 59 with the bat.
For England, the match served as the beginning of a long preparation cycle ahead of next year’s 50-over World Cup in southern Africa. While England have seen recent improvement, winning three previous series this year, this performance was hampered by the absence of key players including Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, and Jacob Bethell. Not only is this the beginning of England’s winter – two trips to Australia and Test tours of South Africa and Bangladesh follow – but also the start of a long run-in to the 50-over World Cup in southern Africa next year. The tri-series format designed to replicate the pressure and permutations of tournament cricket, this was the first of a potential 21 ODIs in preparation for the World Cup. Who are a vastly different proposition in this format on home soil to the team soundly beaten in the Test series in the UK last month, to focus on England’s shortcomings would be a disservice to Pakistan.
Pakistan’s recovery from 133-5 in the 28th over was sparked by a slog-swept six from Hasan Nawaz against Adil Rashid.
This fightback, bolstered by contributions from Faheem Ashraf, allowed the hosts to post a competitive total on a flat surface. Pakistan now sit with two wins from two matches, placing them on the verge of the final, while England will look to bounce back against Sri Lanka in their next encounter this Thursday.
