The hosts registered a 44-run (D/L) method win in the rain-curtailed first game in Southampton on Wednesday to go-up 1-0 in the five-match series.
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To be fair, one also needs to give credit to the English bowlers, primarily Chris Woakes and Mark Wood, who bowled a tight line and length with good pace to stifle the Pakistan batsmen.
That show of faith in a player who has become the heartbeat of the England side was as much to do with the sheer presence of Stokes, who is expected to be fit to resume his all-round duties by bowling at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.
Pakistan one-day captain Azhar Ali, out for a duck on Saturday after deciding to bat first, said: “I think it’s clear we are a little bit behind but we’re working on it”. Hashim Amla and JP Duminy followed up with innings of 58 and 67 not out respectively.
For instance, Azhar was all of a sudden dropped to one down in the second match after scoring 82 in the first match, whereas Shoaib Malik, who has the most number of centuries in the team and is the most experienced player in the lineup, is coming at number six to do a finishing role. He’s such a cool and calm head.
Joe Root made 89 as England, set 252 to win, finished on 255 for six with 15 balls to spare. But unlike now, at least Pakistan were good back then – Wasim helping them win their only World Cup in the 1992 tournament in Australia and New Zealand. “He seems to be batting on a different wicket to everyone else”.
Pakistan look ready for home, with opener Mohammad Hafeez already calling time on his tour.
Joe Root scored yet another half-century for England.
One reason Stokes is so keen to return to bowling is the fact he has found it slow going in the field without the added responsibility of being part of England’s attack.
The initial decision was not out but England were convinced and third umpire Simon Fry upheld the appeal on the basis of a slight spike on the snickometer.
Babar Azam (30) struck several boundaries before he played on to Liam Plunkett, leaving Pakistan at 66 for 4.
Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz both fell to memorable catches, Root clinging on at long-leg despite a nasty collision with Rashid and Plunkett collecting a brilliant one-hander.
After an enthralling Test series between the two sides ended in a 2-2 draw, attention turns to the shorter format of the game.
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Ahmed, whose lone previous ODI hundred was against Ireland at a year ago s World Cup, completed a 124-ball century when he leg-glanced Plunkett for his sixth four.
