Although Hafeez will be staying in England to undergo intensive rehabilitation, Pakistan’s management decided that there was no point in retaining him with the team.
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The match will start at 2:00pm (Local) and 6:00pm (Pakistan Standard Time). The hosts now will be eyeing to continue their domination over the visiting side.
The number of one-day internationals England have left to polish their 50-over game before the Champions Trophy is diminishing too – especially if the full one-day squad declines to tour Bangladesh.
Imad Wasim added 77 runs for the sixth wicket with Ahmed and stayed unbeaten on 63 before Pakistan was bowled out in 49.5 overs after captain Azhar Ali won the toss and opted to bat. Wicketkeeper batsman Sarfraz scored valuable 55.
England briefly threatened to replicate Pakistan’s start when Jason Roy played on from Mohammad Amir in just the second ball of the run chase.
Pakistan openers and one-down Azhar Ali were back in the hutch in first 19 balls.
“I managed to play and bat for almost 50 overs so hopefully the ankle won’t be a problem”, said Root at the presentation ceremony.
Woakes ended the match with 15 balls to spare when he cut leg-spinner Yasir Shah, England’s tormentor in chief during Pakistan’s Test win at Lord’s earlier this season, for four.
Root persevered, turning Wahab Riaz for three to bring the target under a hundred, but was happy to play second fiddle to the incoming Ben Stokes. However, rain intervened once again in the match.
Former World Cup winners Pakistan have slumped below all other Test-playing nations in the ICC’s ODI table and Imad knows it is time to make amends for that embarrassment. In limited-overs cricket, though, they are stuck in the past and need to find a way to get back to the future – and fast.
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After Pakistan captain Azhar Ali won the toss and made a decision to bat, Woakes struck in fortunate fashion in his first over whe a review determined that 20-year-old opener Sami Aslam, playing just his second ODI, had gloved one down the leg side to Jos Buttler. England will look to retain the wining combination.
