England made 194/3 in 34.3 overs after Pakistan put up 260/6 in 50 overs in rain-interrupted match.

By Abdullah Ansari (24th August, 2016)

Toss: Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat.

Teams:

Pakistan: Azhar Ali (c), Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir

England: JJ Roy, AD Hales, JE Root, EJG Morgan (c), BA Stokes, JC Buttler (wk), MM Ali, CR Woakes, LE Plunkett, AU Rashid, MA Wood.

Pakistan Innings

Pakistan started decently as Sharjeel Khan got a few boundaries away but Azhar Ali struggled at the start, playing several dot balls. However, Sharjeel top edged a delivery from the pacy Mark Wood and was caught behind - the left-hander, unwisely went for the review and was adjudged to be out via Snicko. Mohammad Hafeez hit a couple of boundaries, but top edged a shot off Joe Root's bowling, getting caught. Babar Azam was next and he played very well for his 40 (42 balls) as he rotated strike well and took the pressure off his struggling captain. He was wrongfully given out LBW after a big inside-edge, but the review had been used up already.

Azhar and Sarfraz Ahmed shared in a good partnership, as the captain started hitting out after reaching his fifty - he was finally dismissed for 82 off 110 deliveries. Sarfraz continued on his way as he struggled to hit boundaries but continued regularly rotating strike. Shoaib Malik struggled to get going too and once the pressure started building, he went for a big shot and was caught at mid-off. Sarfraz followed in the same manner soon thereafter. Mohammad Nawaz and Imad Wasim finished off the innings but they failed to hit many boundaries, as Pakistan ended at a disappointing 260.

Fall Of Wickets

1-25 (Sharjeel Khan, 5.1 ov)
2-52 (Mohammad Hafeez, 12.2 ov)
3-113 (Babar Azam, 23.6 ov)
4-178 (Azhar Ali, 35.5 ov)
5-224 (Shoaib Malik, 43.5 ov)
6-226 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 44.3 ov)

England Innings

England started off positively as is the motto with their new ODI line-up; however, Alex Hales' terrible run against Pakistan continued as he was caught at slip for 7. Roy and Root played excellently for their 89 run partnership as Pakistan wilted in the field. Sarfraz Ahmed dropped a chance off Mohammad Amir's bowling and thereafter, Pakistan failed to create many openings of note. Roy in particular played some excellent shots during his 65, before he was dismissed thanks to a stunning catch by Babar Azam.

England captain Morgan came to the crease and Pakistan failed to make inroads. Joe Root got to a fifty also before he was run out for 61. Morgan and Stokes played with ease, and with England well ahead of the run-rate, the rain came. Play was eventually called off, with England 194/3 off 34.3 overs, and the home side won by 44 runs.

Fall Of Wickets

1-27 (Hales, 4.3 ov)
2-116 (Roy, 18.4 ov)
3-158 (Root, 27.5 ov)

Match Summary:

A very disappointing start for Pakistan to the ODI series, and the class between the two sides showed as England rarely had to get out of second gear. Pakistan struggled with a slow start and then in the closing part of the innings as well, and the bowling lacked bite. Roy played exceptionally to set up the chase and every time Pakistan got a breakthrough, England consolidated well. Pakistan will need to put up a much better show in the next few matches to come back into the series, otherwise England will run away with it.

Next Game:

2nd ODI at Lord's, 27th August, 09:30 GMT.

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