For that they can thank Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik, Pakistan’s fourth-wicket pair putting on 163 in 143 balls to set up a victory that earned their side some belated pride, even if the loss of three late wickets made the chase more nervy than it should have been.
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Inserted under grey skies, England found themselves 92 for three before Jason Roy and Ben Stokes combined to add 72 watchful runs.
Pakistan is now placed at No. 9 in the ODI rankings and it can get even more tough for the green shirts to directly qualify for the next edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2009 in England.
Earlier, Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, speaking to reporters in Cardiff on Saturday 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.
Well, this series is a dead rubber for Pakistan but they will play this for their pride.
England then lost a succession of quick wickets and finished on 302, while Pakistan chased down thanks largely to Shoaib and Sarfraz’s sizeable stand.
“Series was gone, losing 4-1 is not a result you want, but the way things were as a team we wanted to finish on a good note and that’s what we achieved”.
Despite a 4-1 defeat, there were areas in which Pakistan could point to improvement. Once England had restricted Pakistan to a modest 247 for eight, with only skipper Azhar Ali (80) and Imad Wasim (57 not out) getting beyond 24 for the tourists in this day/night fixture, it was always going to take a remarkable display in the field to prevent a home win.
Sarfraz had a productive series with the bat when he scored 55, 105, 38, 12 and 90 in the series which helped him move 21 places up to 39th position.
“I am very proud of this group of players”, said captain Morgan.
“This whole tour he has been exceptional”, said Azhar Ali of Sarfraz Ahmed. But, despite suggestions that he might step down from the ODI captaincy, Azhar said he had no such intention: “I got a few 80s (against England), so that will really help my confidence”.
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.
Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik hits out during the fifth one day cricket worldwide against England at the SSE SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Sunday Sept 4.
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“We’ve been outstanding”, gushed Morgan. We need to do that consistently, that’s the only way forward. No matter how good or bad, is one knock enough to justify your selection in the side? I will try and keep that form in the coming series. “We have shown a lot of strength throughout this series, and more to build on”.
