Buttler has now compiled England’s three quickest ODI hundreds, this latest effort comfortably surpassing his 61-ball ton against Sri Lanka last year that previously represented a record.
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Buttler reached 116 not out from 52 balls, but more remarkably hit triple figures in just 46 balls.
Joe Root’s sensible knock of 71: Middle-order batsman Joe Root, who has been in sensational form of late, continued his good form in this game as well played a sensible knock scoring a run-a-ball 71, including three boundaries and a couple of sixes.
As an exhibition of clean hitting, it is hard to think of many better as he peppered the stands with sixes.
Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali took three wickets apiece, after David Willey had dismissed both openers in a productive early spell.
After starting cautiously and moving to only 15 in 17 balls, Buttler’s next 101 runs came in just 35 balls. Hales might have missed out, but he took excellent catches to remove Azam and Malik. Pak 194-5, 27.2 overs.
Buttler began his attack with a six off Azhar and followed it up with three fours off Irfan.
England managed to seize an 84-run victory and completed a 3-1 series win. His 102 off 117 balls was spiced with eight boundaries and a six. Buttler also broke England record of the fastest ton in this process.
The England captain was then deceived by Azhar’s googly, as his opposite number picked up a second career wicket – again stumped – and the tourists had lost three in five overs.
England batsman Jos Buttler celebrates century against Pakistan during the Pakistan and England 4th ODI at Dubai.
England won the toss and they opted to bat first while fielding an unchanged team as Pakistan brought Ahmed Shehzad in to open the batting in place of Ifthikar Ahmed and Yasir Shah replaced Zafar Gohar.
The win gave England their second series win since the World Cup disaster earlier this year where they failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.
“Then we have injury to Imad Wasim”, said Azhar of the newcomer who was ruled out of the four-match series with a hand injury.
Moeen Ali mopped up the tail, ending a pulsating match that was ultimately decided by a single innings of brilliance.
“A lot of it was premeditated, but above all playing white-ball cricket has taken away a lot of the other stuff that goes through your mind and I’ve just concentrated on watching the ball”. “I’m not sure I’ve got the words for what I saw tonight”, he said.
“It’s the best I’ve ever played for England”, he said. It’s not that I’ve trained any differently. The ability he shows there all came together for him.
“All of us were hurt”, said Ali. “To get 350-plus on that wicket really set the game up for us”, Morgan said.
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“We will assess his progress and hopefully he is fit”.
