Minhas stars with bat and ball as Pakistan sweep England aside
Arafat Minhas hit a half-century and then took six wickets as Pakistan beat England by 87 runs in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan made 302-9 from their 50 overs — the full one-day international allowance per side — and bowled England out for 215 in 38.4 overs. The win gave Pakistan two wins from two in the ODI tri-series, according to BBC Sport.
Hasan Nawaz led the first innings with 79 from 74 balls. Minhas added 59 from 58 balls down the order to lift Pakistan past 300.
England will rue the help they gave him. Jordan Cox dropped Minhas on 12 when Pakistan were 190-5 in the 37th over. It was one of three catches England put down. Baker took 3-65 for England and was the pick of their bowlers.
England started the chase fast. Ben Duckett made 45 and England were 91-0 when he departed.
Then the innings fell away. Tom Banton made 57 from 53 balls to keep England moving, but support faded around him. Captain Harry Brook was bowled for five by Minhas. Joe Root made 33 before he was bowled by Naseem Shah.
From there England lost their last seven wickets for 50 runs. Minhas finished with 6-40 with his slow left-arm spin and ripped through the middle and lower order.
The game was the second match of the Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka tri-nation ODI series, played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 20 October, the PCB lists PCB match centre. Pakistan had beaten Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening match on 18 October.
The series runs from 18 to 31 October and is being staged as preparation for the ODI World Cup, the PCB said ahead of the tournament. The first three games of the seven-match series were scheduled for Rawalpindi on 18, 20 and 22 October, with later games to move to Lahore.
England face Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Thursday, 22 October. That match was listed for 22 October on the England schedule.
What makes this stand out is how quickly control changed hands. England were ahead at 91 without loss. One breakthrough opened the door, spin tightened the screws, and a steep chase got steeper with every dot ball.
