Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow both made fifties as England beat Pakistan by four wickets in the fourth one-day worldwide at Headingley on Thursday.
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Stokes stroked a almost run-a-ball 69 and Bairstow, included at the last minute in place of the injured Jos Buttler, made 61 as England chased down Pakistan’s 247-8 with two overs to spare.
On Thursday England chased down 248 from a perilous 74 for four in the 15th over through a controlled display of batting from Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow in their 103-run stand, before Moeen Ali’s unbeaten 45 from No7 negotiated a situation that, on another day, could easily have disintegrated fast. I got told 32 minutes before the start that I was playing. “Unfortunately, everyone gets cramp”. If we’re honest, we cruised home. “There was no panic at any point in that chase”, he added. England fans are still reeling from the world record 444/3 the team posted at Trent Bridge.
“It was a bit more of a competitive game”, said Azhar at the presentation ceremony. “But we lost wickets frequently”.
Returning to ODI cricket after a hiatus of eight months, Mohammad Irfan drew first blood on the 17th ball of England innings when his good-length delivery took a thick edge of Jason Roy’s bat to be caught by Mohammad Rizwan, positioned at second slip.
Pakistan, meanwhile, have made two changes in their line-up.
Pakistan hit back late through its seamers to restrict England’s total with Hasan Ali grabbing 4-60 and Mohammad Amir taking 3-50.
Shortly before the news of Irfan’s withdrawal was confirmed Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan’s bowling coach, said it had to be acknowledged that Irfan’s size made him a unique case.
Arthur, now coaching his third worldwide side after spells in charge of his native South Africa and Australia, added: “I’m finding my way with the one-day team”.
Earlier, it looked like Pakistan might struggle to get much over 200 after being reduced to 180-7.
Stokes gathered momentum to reach a career-best at virtually a run a ball, with five fours and three sixes, but he missed his cue to up the ante – picking out short fine-leg after moving across his stumps to Hasan.
Bairstow, despite hitting a huge six down the ground off Mohammad Nawaz, was more circumspect, seemingly set on being at the crease until the bitter end.
Sami Aslam had laboured for 43 balls over his 26 when he sent a top edge into the stratosphere with Stokes, again, the man to hold his nerve.
Plunkett held a good catch at point from a Babar Azam cut in Moeen’s first over, and a much better one diving to his left at mid-on as Rashid saw off the risky Sarfaz Ahmed.
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Wood then took two wickets in three balls to reduce Pakistan to 77 for 3 in the 14th over, bowling Babar Azam and having Azhar Ali, the Pakistan captain, caught behind on review for 33. His 104-ball innings featuring two sixes and five fours, eventually ended when he lofted Rashid to David Willey on the long-off boundary.
