Having spent the series doing a passable impression of a team yet to wake up to the realities of modern white-ball cricket, the tourists treated a large chunk of their chase of 303 like a stroll in nearby Bute Park.
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However, a record fourth-wicket partnership of 163 between Sarfraz and Shoaib Malik (77) turned the match Pakistan’s way.
For Rashid, it ended his run as an ever-present in white-ball cricket since being recalled against Ireland a year ago.
Toss: Pakistan captain Azhar Ali won the toss and elected to field in the fifth and final one-day worldwide against England in Cardiff on Sunday.
To further confuse matters, the media has reported that the PCB officials in London have apparently conveyed to Azhar that it would be best for him to step down himself as he was a senior player and they didn’t want to announce they had removed him.
“A few guys we have seen on this tour have really stepped up, they are young guys and if they can play good consistent cricket we are looking at a bright future”, Azhar said.
“If you’re unsure about things, if the questions haven’t been answered, then mentally you’re not in the right state of mind to go and perform at your best”, said Bairstow.
Pakistan’s reply was initially stop-start. It was as unimpressive as it was unexpected.
And Mark Wood then dismissed Babar Azam (31) and Pakistan captain Azhar Ali (33) in the space of three balls as they crashed to 77-3 in the 14th over. Sarfraz, though, loves a scrap and Shoaib used all his experience to compile his first half-century in 35 global innings in this country.
On a turning pitch, another positive to be gleaned from the low-scoring affair was Moeen’s two for 39 with the ball, in tandem with Adil Rashid’s three for 47, both for the confidence it will give them before tours to the subcontinent this winter and when compared to Pakistan’s two spinners sharing figures of one for 104 from their allotted 20 overs. But an initial four-over burst costing 41 did not help his prospects.
A Welsh-born batsman provided the finishing touch in Cardiff but unfortunately for England’s hopes of a whitewash he was wearing the green of Pakistan.
Jonny Bairstow retained his place as wicketkeeper, with England deciding not to risk Jos Buttler after he injured his quad before the fourth match at Headingley. Victory will also renew its dampened spirits for the lone T20I to be played at Old Trafford on September 7.
England had already wrapped up a resounding victory by winning each of the first four contests, but Pakistan earned a consolation win thanks to a four-wicket triumph in Cardiff. The level of highs, Trent Bridge is the highest level we’ve achieved yet.
Two overs later, the Gentle Giant struck again as Alex Hales, who spanked a mighty-171 in the last ODI to seal the five match series for England, was removed with an immaculate good-length delivery that moved a fraction away.
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In Manchester, England will want to prove this was no more than that – and wrap up the summer in style.
