All-rounder Arafat Minhas struck a maiden half-century and grabbed a career-best six wickets to anchor Pakistan’s convincing 87-run win over England in the tri-series in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Minhas hit 59 off 58 balls and was ably assisted by Hasan Nawaz, whose 74-ball 79 lifted Pakistan to a stable 302-9 at Pindi Stadium.
The versatile Minhas then took 6-40 along with his beguiling left-arm spin as England have been lowered to 215 all out in 38.4 overs. He additionally ran out the final England batter to cap an outstanding displaying.
England misplaced their final 9 wickets for 95 runs after being effectively set at 120-1, with Tom Banton (57) and Ben Duckett (45) giving them a assured begin.
Minhas grabbed three essential wickets, getting Banton caught off a miscued pull, bowling Harry Brook for 5 with a pointy turner, after which trapping Jordan Cox for 18.
Minhas accomplished his second five-wicket haul when he dismissed Will Jacks for 19 after which had Jamie Overton for one.
Banton smashed 5 boundaries and two sixes in his 53-ball knock.
Naseem Shah snared the prized wicket of Joe Root for 33, and Haris Rauf eliminated a harmful Sam Curran for 27 as England’s run chase faltered.
Nawaz and Minhas earlier lifted Pakistan from a precarious 133-5.
Nawaz, who hit 4 sixes and 5 boundaries, added 78 for the sixth wicket with Minhas as England struggled to break their stand, dropping three catches.
Minhas then added a useful 72 for the seventh wicket with Faheem Ashraf (39) as Pakistan added 91 runs in the final 10 overs.
Minhas hit 9 fours, whereas Ashraf’s knock included a six and 5 boundaries.
England’s Gus Atkinson jolted Pakistan with the very first ball of the match to dismiss Fakhar Zaman, caught by Root at brief mid-wicket.
Sonny Baker made it 2-31 with the wicket of Saim Ayub for eight earlier than Babar Azam (34) and Saad Baig (35) steadied the innings.
England’s Baker took 3-65, whereas Atkinson completed with 2-35.
England meet Sri Lanka in the third match on Thursday, additionally in Rawalpindi.
