England vs Pakistan cricket ended with an 87-run defeat for England in a one-day international (ODI) tri-series match, with Pakistan's Arafat Minhas the decisive bowler. Pakistan made 302 for nine, and England were bowled out for 215. England captain Harry Brook said the batters had retreated into their shells against spin, a problem the squad planned to discuss before its next game.
How the innings unfolded
Pakistan were 133 for five when Minhas came to the crease. His innings of 59 off 58 balls lifted the total to 302 for nine. He then took career-best figures of six for 40 to bowl England out, and he also removed the lower order and added a direct-hit run-out. It was only his fifth ODI.
England's openers, Tom Banton and Ben Duckett, shared a stand of 91. Banton was England's top scorer with 57, but he was out caught at midwicket off Minhas's bowling. England then faltered against Minhas and off-spinner Saim Ayub, and the innings ended at 215.
Brook's assessment
Brook said England were “pretty happy” at the halfway stage and believed the bowlers had kept Pakistan just below par. The problem, he said, was the batting: there were not enough partnerships and the side lost wickets in clumps. He also said England had not put enough pressure on the bowlers to make them miss, and he admitted he could have hit the ball harder.
On Minhas, Brook praised the bowling and fielding, calling him “the standout performer by a mile.” He said the team had watched videos of Minhas but had not faced him often. Brook described the defeat as the most convincing England had suffered since last year, which he called a good sign in one way.
What comes next
England face Sri Lanka on Thursday, and Brook said the team would keep fighting and remain competitive. Earlier this year, England won all three of their ODI series after losing six of the previous seven, according to the figures cited with Brook's comments. With the World Cup in southern Africa approaching next year, Brook said he welcomed the tough test.
For England vs Pakistan cricket followers, the next focus is the Sri Lanka match, where England will look to fix the issues Brook identified. No date for this Pakistan match has been confirmed in the details available, so readers should check official fixtures for any games scheduled today.
Aasan alfaaz mein
England aur Pakistan ke one-day match mein Pakistan ne England ko 87 runs se haraya. Pakistan ne 302 run banaye aur Arafat Minhas ne 6 wicket liye, jis se England 215 par all out ho gaya. Harry Brook ke mutabiq batting mein partnership ki kami thi aur wicket jaldi jaldi gire. England ka agla match Thursday ko Sri Lanka ke khilaf hoga.
