Earlier, Ahmed’s second century in ODIs lifted Pakistan to 251 after they lost three wickets for just two runs inside the first four overs. What makes this England team even stronger is contribution from other players when needed. And if any team is capable of penetrating England’s wall of allrounders in their batting ranks, it is Pakistan with players such as Wahab Riaz or the surely-to-be-recalled Yasir Shah, whose individual bursts of brilliance can transcend mere circumstance.
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England were grateful to a familiar talisman as they took command of the ODI series with Pakistan at Lord’s.
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali won the toss and chose to bat, despite there being a distinctive green tinge to the wicket and grey clouds overhead. Azhar Ali also fell for a duck when caught behind off Woakes.
England hardly covered themselves in glory during their run chase at Lord’s, nearly sleepwalking towards victory as they found themselves dragged down to Pakistan’s level.
After a couple of early stumbles in its reply, a third-wicket partnership of 112 between Root and Eoin Morgan (68) put England on course for the win, with Morgan’s knock ending a run of 23 worldwide innings without a half-century.
England started the series fifth in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI rankings and Root said: “I still think there’s a lot of work to do if we want to be the best team in the world, but we’re going about it the right way”.
Just when Pakistan looked in deep trouble, Ahmed stitched a vital 77-run stand with Imad Wasim (63 not out) and in the process brought his century in the 42nd over at the end of which the visitors reached 198 for five.
It says everything about the value England place on Ben Stokes that he should be preferred to a batsman of the quality of Jonny Bairstow for the opening two one-day victories against Pakistan even though he was unable to bowl.
But Ahmed, as he d often done during the preceding 2-2 drawn Test series, frustrated England with a mixture of orthodox and improvised shots.
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.
Tourists skipper fell five balls later to Woakes as an immaculate out-swing delivery off good-length got him caught behind.
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Stokes has been playing as a specialist batsman thus far due to a calf problem but is hoping rejoin the pace attack at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.
