Pakistan did make a few in-roads through a few good bowling efforts by Gohar and Irfan in defending their total but could not stop a determined Taylor and Jos Buttler (49 n.o.).However, Taylor and Buttler added 117 runs for the fourth wicket to see England home comfortably.
Advertisement
SIX AND FOUR: Hafeez takes charge here hitting Rashid over mid-off on two occasions although lucky on the first attempt when it went slightly above the reach of the fielder at mid-on.
Whichever side prevails on Tuesday will take an unassailable 2-1 lead into the final match of the series in Dubai on Friday before the attention switches to T20 action.
Seamer Chris Woakes was the pick of the attack with figures of four for 40 but Pakistan did not help themselves as there were three run-outs in the innings. The batsman was early into a pull and ended up getting a top-edge which went high up in the air before Root held on to the ball safely at square-leg.
However, the 25-year-old is relishing the opportunity for England to show that they can adjust to conditions which may not be entirely alien, with Taylor one of a number of players in the squad to have played a warm-up match and in the Test at the same venue.
Once again a promising partnership comes to an end as Pakistan lose a wicket against the run of play. Riaz was largely instrumental in taking Pakistan past the 200-run mark, as he guided Gohar and Irfan for 8.3 overs.
Pakistan’s spinners have failed to replicate their Test performances in the ODIs as they managed just four wickets in the two games.
Taylor brought his first six hitting Malik down the ground and he backed it with back to back boundaries off Irfan in the 34th over to take England to 164 for four. It wasn’t far before Pakistan lost two more wickets of Anwar Ali (7) and Malik as they were reeling at 161 for eight with a danger of getting dismissed before 200.
The series is tied at 1-1 after Pakistan won the first match and England won the second. James Taylor and Jos Buttler came out to bat within an over of each other and faced a real challenged.
Advertisement
Taylor played the lead role with an unbeaten 67 and with Buttler, who survived a missed stumping before he scored, expertly steadied nerves after Pakistan’s spinners threatened to alter the course of the contest as they found considerable turn and bounce. Viewers in the United States can watch Pakistan vs England ODI live on Willow TV and stream the game on Willow TV Online. “I think the talent we’ve got in this one-day group is exceptional and we showed glimpses of that in the second match”, Taylor added.
