England crumbled to an 87-run defeat in their ODI tri-series opener against Pakistan in Rawalpindi as the batting severely malfunctioned after an excellent start.
England, who have won their last three bilateral ODI series, were cruising on 91-0 inside 15 overs in a chase of 303, only to end up being bowled out for 215 in 38.4 as home spinner Arafat Minhas backed up his maiden ODI half-century with figures of 6-40.
Visiting captain Harry Brook (5) was bowled by a beauty from Arafat after openers Ben Duckett (47) and Tom Banton (47) failed to build on a rollicking opening stand against a Pakistan side who rallied from 81-4 earlier in the day having being put in to bat.
The tourists then wilted once the hosts snapped a patient stand of 31 from 57 balls between Joe Root (33) and Sam Curran (27) from 128-3 with Arafat on a hat-trick once he removed Will Jacks (19) and Adil Rashid (1) from successive deliveries in the 39th over before he ran out Gus Atkinson (7) two balls later to clinch victory.
England are back in action against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Thursday (9am UK) in a tournament which sees the three sides play each other twice before the top two teams in the table meet in a final in Lahore on Saturday October 31.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the first game of the tournament on Sunday.
More to follow.
Watch England’s next tri-series match, against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 8.30am on Thursday (9am first ball). Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract through NOW – cancel anytime.
ODI tri-series results and schedule
All games live on Sky Sports; all times UK and Ireland
- October 18 – Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs (Rawalpindi)
- October 20 – Pakistan beat England by 87 runs (Rawalpindi)
- October 22 (9am) – Sri Lanka vs England (Rawalpindi)
- October 25 (8am) – Pakistan vs England (Lahore)
- October 27 (8am) – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Lahore)
- October 29 (8am) – Sri Lanka vs England (Lahore)
- October 31 (8am) – Final (Lahore)
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
