Match Summary
- Pakistan 302-9 (50 overs): Nawaz 79 (74), Arafat 59 (58); Baker 3-65
- England 215 (38.4 overs): Banton 57 (53); Arafat 6-40
- Result: Pakistan won by 87 runs
England kicked off their busy winter schedule with a sloppy 87-run defeat against Pakistan during the opening one-day international tri-series fixture in Rawalpindi. Across five upcoming tours spanning four countries and three continents, early mistakes proved costly as Arafat Minhas seized control 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. 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.
The all-rounder contributed a vital 59 runs with the bat before tearing through England’s batting lineup with figures of 6-40 using his left-arm spin.
Sent in to bat first, Pakistan slipped to 190-5 during the 37th over when wicketkeeper Jordan Cox missed a chance to dismiss Arafat on 12, marking one of three dropped catches by the touring side. When night fell, Arafat produced his magical spell to the delight of a noisy full house.
Arafat combined with Hasan Nawaz, who struck a powerful 79, to propel Pakistan toward a total of 302-9. Facing what would be the second-highest successful run chase in an ODI at Rawalpindi Stadium, England began brightly before defensive and tactical errors invited Pakistan back into the contest. Along with Arafat and Faheem Ashraf, Nawaz carried Pakistan to what seemed no more than a competitive total on a flat pitch.
Opening batter Ben Duckett top-edged a pull shot for 45 with the score at 91-0, while Tom Banton fell for 57 after lofting a catch to mid-wicket off Arafat’s bowling. Arafat then clean bowled England captain Harry Brook for five with a delivery, and Naseem Shah dismissed Joe Root for 33 with a ball that kept low.
Subsequent dismissals of Cox via lbw and Jamie Overton holing out, both claimed by Arafat, left England reeling. The visitors subsided to 215 all out, losing their final seven wickets for just 50 runs, which culminated in a run out of Gus Atkinson.
Pakistan secured their second consecutive win in the series, putting them on the verge of the final, whereas England face Sri Lanka at the same venue on Thursday.
The fixture marks the beginning of 21 potential ODIs leading into next year’s 50-over World Cup in southern Africa, while also incorporating preparations for two trips to Australia alongside Test assignments in South Africa and Bangladesh. 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.
Despite missing key personnel such as Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, and Jacob Bethell, England squandered opportunities to establish a dominant position. Conversely, Pakistan demonstrated resilience on home turf, recovering from 133-5 in the 28th over through Nawaz’s aggressive hitting to post a competitive target before Arafat’s decisive spell. Nevertheless, this was a game they could have won had they not wasted their opportunities, while squad players missed chances to press their case. The hosts could have wilted, yet Nawaz’s slog-sweep for six from the first ball he faced from Adil Rashid was the beginning of Pakistan’s fightback, from 133-5 in the 28th over.
