Pakistan bounced back strongly after the humiliation they received in their previous match against the West Indies — being bowled out for 105 runs — and beat England by 14 runs. Mohammad Hafeez was declared Player-of-the-Match for his valiant knock of 84 off 62 balls, accompanied with a wicket of England captain Eoin Morgan.

Getting an invitation to bat first, Pakistan started off well with Fakhar Zaman (36) and Imam-ul-Haq (44). The duo added 82 runs for the first wicket. However, Moeen Ali got rid of both. But the other Pakistani batsmen dug in their heels and played some mature cricket to take their team to a strong total of 348.

Though Pakistan lost eight wickets till the end of their innings, knocks of Mohammad Hafeez (84), Babar Azam (63) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (55) in the middle overs provided the Greens with the stability they lacked in their previous tie against the West Indies. While Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes, both took three wickets each, Mark Wood scalped two for England. But their contribution could not stop Pakistan from posting a competitive total on the board.

Chasing a target of 349 runs, England never really got going. They lost Jason Roy (8) cheaply in the third over to Shadab Khan. Jonny Bairstow (32) was the next blow for them, who departed off a Wahab Riaz delivery. At a stage, England were 4 down with just 118 runs on the board and a competitive target soon started looking a giant one. But the Englishmen still had Joe Root and Jos Buttler who added 130 runs for the fifth wicket and seemed to take the game away from Pakistan. But Shadab struck again to send Joe Root (107) back to the hut and Mohammad Amir claimed the wicket of Buttler (107) and turned the match in Pakistan’s favour. After this, the Men-in-Green were quite clinical in changing their fortunes and opening their account in the points table. England could manage 334 in 50 overs and lost the match by 14 runs.

Scorecard: Pakistan 348-8 in 50 overs (Mohammad Hafeez 84, Babar Azam 63, Moeen Ali 3/50, Chris Woakes 3/71); England 334-9 in 50 overs (Joe Root 107, Jos Buttler 103, Wahab Riaz 3/82, Shadab Khan 2/63)