Pakistan recorded their second consecutive win in the ODI tri-nation series, defeating England by 87 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, powered by a stellar all-round display from Arafat Minhas.
Asked to bat first, Pakistan suffered early blows with Fakhar Zaman falling for a golden duck and Saim Ayub departing for 8. Babar Azam (34), Saad Baig (35), and previous match centurion Salman Ali Agha (16) could not convert starts, leaving the hosts in trouble at 133 for 5. However, counter-attacking contributions from Hassan Nawaz (79), Arafat Minhas (59), and Faheem Ashraf (39) guided Pakistan to a competitive total of 302 for 9 in their 50 overs. Sonny Baker took 3 for 56 for England, while Gus Atkinson claimed two wickets.
In reply, England launched a blistering start, cruising to 91 without loss before Haris Rauf broke the stand by removing the dangerous Ben Duckett (45). From that point, left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas took complete charge, dismantling England’s batting line-up with sensational figures of 6 for 40 in 8.4 overs, in addition to effecting a run-out. Despite a fighting 57 from Tom Banton and 33 from Joe Root, England collapsed to 215 all out. Haris Rauf picked up two wickets while Naseem Shah grabbed one, cementing Pakistan’s unbeaten start in the tournament.
