Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas struck counterattacking half-centuries as Pakistan posted 302-9 against England in the second match of the ODI tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
After being put in to bat by England captain Harry Brook, Pakistan endured a difficult start as both openers departed inside the first six overs, leaving the hosts struggling at 31-2.
Experienced batter Babar Azam attempted to steady the innings alongside youngster Saad Baig, who had made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in the tournament opener. The pair added 28 runs before Babar departed for a cautious 34 off 52 deliveries.
Baig then combined with Salman Ali Agha, who failed to capitalise on his start and was dismissed for 16.
With Pakistan under pressure, Hasan Nawaz walked in and immediately adopted an aggressive approach to shift the momentum in the hosts’ favour.
The right-handed batter dominated a 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket, contributing 31 runs before Baig’s innings came to an end. The young wicketkeeper-batter departed after scoring 35 off 54 deliveries.
Nawaz subsequently found support from Arafat Minhas as the duo launched a crucial recovery, adding 78 runs off 74 balls for the sixth wicket. Their partnership helped Pakistan cross the 200-run mark and laid the foundation for a competitive total.
However, Nawaz’s entertaining innings ended when England pacer Jamie Overton produced a perfectly executed yorker to dismantle his stumps. The 24-year-old departed after scoring 79 off 74 balls, an innings featuring five fours and four sixes.
Following his dismissal, Minhas joined forces with Faheem Ashraf, and the pair maintained Pakistan’s scoring momentum during the closing stages.
The two all-rounders stitched together a brisk 72-run partnership off just 49 deliveries for the seventh wicket, putting England’s bowlers under further pressure.
During the partnership, Minhas brought up his maiden ODI half-century, continuing his impressive contribution with the bat. The left-handed batter eventually fell to Sonny Baker after scoring 59 off 58 deliveries, including nine boundaries.
Faheem, meanwhile, played an aggressive cameo of 39 runs off 26 balls, smashing five fours and a six before being dismissed by Sam Curran in the penultimate over.
Haris Rauf struck a boundary on the final delivery of the innings as Pakistan finished with 302-9 in their allotted 50 overs, setting England a target of 303 runs.
For England, Sonny Baker was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-65, while Gus Atkinson claimed two wickets for 35 runs. Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid and Sam Curran chipped in with one wicket apiece.