Pakistan beat England by 87 runs in a One-day International (ODI) tri-series match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. A recovery in the middle overs, followed by a six-wicket spell from left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, turned the game. The Pakistan vs England win came after the home side were struggling at 133-5 in the 28th over, and it leaves Pakistan with two wins in the tri-series so far. An ODI is a limited-overs match, and a tri-series is a competition in which three teams play each other before a final.
Hasan and Arafat rebuild the innings
England chose to field, and Pakistan's innings faltered early. Speaking to PCB Digital, the media channel of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Hasan Nawaz said he had set his sights on a total of 300 or more. He scored 79 off 74 deliveries and said England's field placement, with fielders close in, gave him a chance to attack.
Hasan said his plan was to stay positive, and he called a challenge against strong sides a chance to make a name for himself. He and Arafat added 78 runs for the sixth wicket. Arafat made 59 off 58 balls before combining with Faheem Ashraf, whose 39 off 26 deliveries helped Pakistan reach 302-9.
Hasan praised Arafat's contribution with both bat and ball. He also said the team never looked as if it had lost belief, even after England's openers started strongly.
Arafat's six wickets
England's openers, Tom Banton and Ben Duckett, put on 91 runs in just over 14 overs during the chase. Arafat then took six wickets for 40 runs in 8.4 overs, and England were bowled out for 215. He said his plan was to target the stumps and make use of the help the spinners were getting from the pitch.
Arafat said spinner Saim Ayub had told him the ball was holding on the surface, which helped him understand the conditions before he bowled. Among his wickets was England captain Harry Brook, who was bowled for five by a delivery that gripped and straightened. Arafat later ran out Gus Atkinson to complete the victory.
The match also had personal meaning for Arafat. He made his debut at Rawalpindi and took five wickets there, and he said this six-wicket return against England was a bigger performance at the same ground. He called it a memorable moment in his career.
What comes next in the tri-series
Arafat said Pakistan would look to carry their momentum into the Lahore leg of the tri-series, adapting their combination to the conditions there. Hasan summed up the team's mood by saying, "We were fighting for every single ball." The Pakistan vs England win gives the side a lift, but both players stressed that their focus is on doing their individual jobs.
Arafat said he sees himself as a proper bowler and a proper batter, and that the team expects him to do both. The next matches will test whether the fighting spirit shown at Rawalpindi can be repeated in Lahore.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ne England ko Rawalpindi mein 87 runs se haraya aur tri-series mein do jeetein ho gayi hain. Hasan Nawaz ke 79 runs aur Arafat Minhas ki 6 wicket ne match palat diya. Is jeet ka seedha asar bijli ke bill, petrol ya kharche par nahi parta, lekin cricket shaukeen ke liye yeh ek khaas raat hai.
