Miandad criticised Azhar’s elevation to the captaincy after last year’s World Cup and said the side had been “humiliated” in the series against England. However, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow proved their worth and led their side to an easy four-wicket win at the end.
Advertisement
For all the record-breaking feats of their whirring thunderbats at Trent Bridge earlier in the week, it was England’s performance at Headingley on Thursday evening that was probably the more instructive for the team’s management as they plot a course for next summer’s Champions Trophy and the World Cup in 2019.
The green shirts will be eyeing to avoid a whitewash in the five-match series.
Pakistan hit back late through their seamers to restrict England’s total with Hasan Ali grabbing 4-60 and Mohammad Amir taking 3-50.
“We don’t want to be the best one day and the worst another”.
Meanwhile, Swansea-born Imad Wasim is looking forward to returning to Wales.
They answered the call with a century stand in this fourth Royal London Series match, after England stumbled to 72 for four in pursuit of 247 for eight under lights.
Jos Buttler was still experiencing tightness in his hamstring, which forced him to miss the previous game, and it would appear unlikely that he’d be risked, which means another chance for Bairstow.
The hosts lost Alex Hales, chipping a variation slower ball from Mohammad Amir (three for 50) round the wicket to mid-on, and Joe Root – inside-edging Hasan on to his stumps – in the first 10 overs.
The giant 7ft 1in (2.1 metres) Irfan, who was himself only called into the squad as an injury replacement for Mohammad Hafeez on August 27, managed just five legitimate overs in Thursday’s fourth one-day worldwide against England at Headingley before going off with cramps to the visible annoyance of coach Mickey Arthur. He did not hit a boundary until his 33rd delivery, which he then muscled down the ground in imposing fashion, and Nawaz was again dumped unceremoniously over the short straight boundary a few overs later.
The lowest strike-rate of an England player in the XI at Headingley – when the match was completed – was David Willey’s 81.17. But they haven’t been able to perform as a unit. After he reported back, the European Central Bank said last month that the tour, which includes three one-day global and two Test match fixtures in October and November, would go ahead as planned. Ben Stokes and Jonny Baristow played a good hand of 69 and 61 runs respectively to help the home team win the fourth ODI. Pakistan had started the series on 87 points and this is their lowest-ever points tally since the current rankings system was introduced in 2001.
“I haven’t got that many wickets in one-dayers this summer, but feel like I’ve bowled quite tight and that’s important”.
Advertisement
Mickey Arthur, the Pakistan coach, stressed on the shortcomings of Pakistan’s batting while acknowledging England’s prowess.
