Victory saw Sarfraz Ahmed win his first match as Twenty20 captain but England took the overall Super Series 16-12 after the four-Test series was shared 2-2 and the hosts took the one-dayers 4-1.
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But Shoaib Malik (77) and Sarfraz turned the tide during their stand of 163 – a new fourth-wicket record for either side in an England-Pakistan ODI, surpassing the 122 put on by Pakistan’s Ramiz Raja and Salim Malik at Nagpur in 1989.
“A few guys we have seen on this tour have really stepped up, they are young guys and if they can play good consistent cricket we are looking at a bright future”, Azhar said.
Live Cricket Score and Live streaming from 5th ODI between England and Pakistan being played at Sophia Gardens.
The Pakistani seamers continued to vary their pace to good effect, forcing the batsmen to aim mostly to the long square boundaries. The way Sarfraz and Shoaib batted, we lost two wickets in one over and that could have been a turning point of the game but the way they built up the partnership was brilliant.
Australiaand Englandhave made significant progress in the IccODI Team Rankings after completing identical 4-1 series victories against Sri Lankaand Pakistanrespectively.
Pakistan’s run chase then got off to a shaky start when Chris Woakes had Sharjeel Khan caught at mid-on for 10.
“We needed about 185 on that wicket”.
“I thought it was a great opportunity to get Liam Dawson on to the global stage in one-day cricket with one eye towards the winter”. “Leading by example is very important I will try and keep that form in coming series so that will help the team”.
Each side therefore has its own, contrasting reasons to try and win – England to end a good season fittingly, Pakistan to tiresome memories of a bashing.
“One thing we’ve strived for throughout the year-and-a-half has been a level of consistency”.
No team had previously chased 300 to win in Cardiff but England, having rotated their bowling attack, suddenly found themselves stretched.
“The attitude and hunger to want to be better playing in that manner, I think, sums up the direction one-day global cricket is going and the talent we have”.
Jos Buttler’s attempts at a series of his fine deflections did not come off – and when he reverted to trying to smash the ball more conventionally, he hit Wahab straight into the hands of deep point. “It’s certainly the best group of players I’ve ever played with. At no time did we stumble or take our foot off the gas”, Root said. “He will be under pressure since worldwide cricket brings that added burden but I have faith in his abilities and think he is the right candidate for the job”.
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Earlier, Jason Roy and Ben Stokes both struck quickfire fifties as England made 302 for nine.
