Root collided heavily with his Yorkshire team-mate in the Lord’s outfield as both men converged on a catch in the deep during the tourists’ innings of 251 all out.
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England’s Eoin Morgan is bowled by Pakistan’s Imad Wasim during the 2nd One Day International match at Lord’s, London, Saturday Aug. 27.
For a side whose 50-over cricket was seen as a basket case little more than a year ago such a drama-free victory is a cause for celebration, but a Pakistan side labelled as “behind the times” by their own head coach, Mickey Arthur, merely logged another reminder of their limitations.
Imad Wasim (63) was one of only four Pakistan batsmen to reach double figures, as Chris Woakes (3-42) and Mark Wood (3-46) shared six wickets.
Pakistan lost recalled opener Sami Aslam (one) following an England review after his attempted pull off Woakes was held down the legside by wicket-keeper Jos Buttler. Woakes and Wood extracted good pace and seam from the turf and applied the brakes on the Pakistani batting from the very beginning.
Babar Azam (30) struck several boundaries before he played on to Liam Plunkett, leaving Pakistan at 66 for 4.
Shoaib Malik was in next, adding 28 as Sarfraz steered and guided his way to a calm 50. 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.
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.
But being picked as a specialist batsman at No5 for the first two ODIs ahead of Jonny Bairstow, who has been in the form of his life this summer, was a huge compliment for Stokes, even if his memorable double hundred in the Cape Town Test against South Africa in January, a match in which Bairstow also scored his maiden worldwide century, marked him out as a special talent. “I don’t need to be going out and reverse sweeping and sweeping for four and six”, he pointed out. Pakistan never looked a front line cricketing nation.
Morgan fell trying to cut a ball that was too close to his stumps, but his innings of 68 off 80 balls will be a welcome boost for the England camp.
“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.
The Durham all-rounder, still playing as a specialist batsman following calf trouble, was quick to attack.
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‘I have done all the prep and I’ve bowled for 15 minutes flat out in the nets so everything I needed to do has been done, ‘ said Stokes.
