Root in one of the four England batsmen to make upward movement following a 4-1 series win over Pakistan. You can full video highlights of Pak vs Eng 5th ODI here.
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However, the tourists scotched those hopes as well after showing some unexpected fight to chase down 303 and win by four wickets.
The good news for Pakistan was the movement of its captain Azhar Ali and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.
Chris Woakes removed Sharjeel Khan (10) early as Pakistan once again struggled in the first power play.
Having won the toss Pakistan chose to bowl. Malik was happy to merely occupy an end as let Sarfraz steal the show. “The more they can do that, the better”.
Insisting that England played outstandingly well throughout the series against Pakistan, the 29-year-old believes his side came out with hunger and determination against the Azhar Ali led-Pakistani side.
England smashed an ODI record 444-3 at Trent Bridge last week but, in seam-friendly conditions on a gloomy day, they were forced to dig in.
With Malik and Sarfraz at the crease, however, Pakistan never looked like losing. However, his ploy to go against spinner did not work as he was dismissed with Pakistan requiring 47 more runs to win. Malik went quietly about his business, nudging England around for singles as he steadily accumulated 77 from 80 deliveries.
Few overs later, Jonny Bairtsow managed to run Mohammad Nawaz (2) out and that sent warning bells in Pakistan camp.
But Rizwan kept Pakistan on track with a calm contribution in an unbroken stand with Imad and England will not, therefore, go through their hugely promising limited-overs summer unbeaten.
Mark Wood (2-56) turned the game in England’s favour by striking twice in the 14th over, removing both Azam and Azhar.
Earlier in the day, the toss went Pakistan’s way and the visitors chose to bowl first. It was here that Stokes (75) joined hands with Roy and the pair added 72-runs for the fourth wicket, preventing a collapse.
Alex Hales has risen four places to reach 20th spot after aggregating 223 runs in the series, including a belligerent 171 in the third ODI, captain Eoin Morgan has gained four places and is now in 24th spot, while Jason Roy’s series contribution of 181 runs have helped him rise 10 places to share 35th spot with Dinesh Chandimal, who himself has moved up 15 places following a good series with the bat against Australia.
England’s batsmen left runs out in the middle after being tied down by excellent death bowling and their bowlers could not reply in kind to build pressure on the chasing side. England lost last five wickets for just 64 runs and ended with 302 on board.
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But Roy fell short of three figures, holing out to Mohammad Amir, and Stokes, who had started slowly, was stopped in his tracks after hitting the accelerator when he steered Hasan Ali to short fine leg.
