That defeat meant England had to be content with a 4-1 one-day global series win rather than a first home 5-0 whitewash. Hosts won the five match series 4-1.
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“It was a much-needed victory and chasing 300 gave us much satisfaction”.
Meanwhile, wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow told several British newspapers: “I’ve not made a 100 % decision but I know within my mind that I have a lot of faith in Reggie. I still think we are five, 10 or 15 per cent off where we believe that we can get to”.
But Shoaib Malik (77) and Sarfraz turned the tide during their stand of 163 – a new fourth-wicket record for either side in an England-Pakistan ODI, surpassing the 122 put on by Pakistan’s Ramiz Raja and Salim Malik in Nagpur in 1989.
“It was a bit more of a competitive game”, said Azhar at the presentation ceremony. The pitch is normally good for worldwide cricket, and the short, straight boundaries can be enticing for the batsmen. “But we lost wickets frequently”.
Sarfraz Ahmed fell 10 runs short of his second century of the series and Shoaib Malik passed 50 for the first time in 35 global innings in England as their fourth-wicket partnership of 163 off 141 balls put Pakistan in sight of their target.
Jason Roy was caught low down by Mohammad Rizwan off Mohammad Irfan, and Alex Hales edged behind.
During the series, the Yorkshireman also achieved a career-best rating of 776 points, which he had attained after the third ODI at Trent Bridge in which he scored 85. Muhammad Irfan, who was recalled as replacement of injured Muhammad Hafeez and picked up two early wickets in fourth ODI, could not complete his 10 overs quota after suffering cramps in his fifth over.
Earlier, Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, speaking to reporters in Cardiff before Irfan was ruled out of the tour, said: “Definitely Mickey was unhappy (to see Irfan go off) and as bowling coach I was unhappy as well”.
AB de Villiers of South Africa is the number-one ranked ODI batsman, and he is followed by India’s Virat Kohli and team-mate Hashim Amla, in second and third positions, respectively.
While former captain, Muhammad Yousuf believes that no more time should be wasted in making necessary changes, former captain, Rashid Latif appears to have a different view as he believes Pakistan cricket is not dead in ODI and T20 formats and the young players need to be given more time.
Joe Root, bidding for a new outright England record of six consecutive ODI fifties, again looked in superb touch while making 30. “There are (a) few youngsters coming in, like Imad (Wasim), (Mohammad) Nawaz and Hasan (Ali), but we have to play well consistently”.
The wicketkeeper-batsman provided the telling impetus, with his 10 fours and a six from 73 balls. Stokes was on 1 when he missed that Imad Wasim jaffa.
Azhar held firm as wickets tumbled around him.
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Yet it is entirely possible, should Buttler be fit for the final match in Cardiff, and he was rated a good chance to be available, that Bairstow will be back carrying the drinks on Sunday.
