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19 March 2024

England beat Pakistan in rain-hit first one-dayer

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

England beat Pakistan by 44 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis scoring method in a rain-affected first one-day international in Southampton on Wednesday.

Pakistan made 260 for six in their 50 overs and England moved on to 194 for three in 34.3 overs, Jason Roy making 65 and Joe Root 61, before rain brought a premature end to the match.

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, who won the toss, hit 82 to lead his team to a below-par total in bright sunshine and ideal batting conditions.

Azhar started slowly but increased the tempo to strike nine fours before top-edging leg-spinner Adil Rashid to Moeen Ali at short fine leg.

Babar Azam scored 40 and Sarfraz Ahmed 55 but the touring side never really broke the shackles imposed by a disciplined England attack in which Rashid was the most successful bowler with figures of 2-51.

England lost Alex Hales for seven but Roy flayed six fours and a six and shared a second-wicket partnership of 89 with Root.

Roy was caught on the long-off boundary off Mohammad Nawaz and Root was run out after being called through for an impossible single by captain Eoin Morgan but England were always ahead of the required run rate.

Morgan finished on 33 not out with Ben Stokes on 15. The second game in the five-match series is at Lord's on Saturday.

England innings

England have won the first one-day international against England by 44 runs under the D/L method when rain stopped play for a second time during their innings with England 194-3 in 34.3 overs chasing a target of 261 revised to 250 in 48 overs after the rain.

Umpires have halted play again because of heavy rain with England ahead of the D/L par score of 150.

Two overs have been lost due to rain and the D/L target has been revised to 59 off 84 balls with seven wickets in hand.

Rain has stopped played with the covers coming because of a persistent drizzle with England 193-3 in 34 overs chasing a target of 261.

England are well ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis score of 147 at this stage.

Pakistan strike back removing root with a direct hit from Azhar as he attempts a quick single. Eng 158-3, 27.5 overs.

Joe Root run out 61 (72b 6x4)

England are 147-2 at the halfway stage needing 114 off 150 balls.

Azam takes a brilliant catch on the boundary as Roy gives Nawaz the charge. Eng 116-2, 18.4 overs.

Jason Roy c Babar Azam b Mohammad Nawaz 65 (56b 6x4 1x6)

England are cruising along at 100-1 after 16 overs.

England are off to a solid start chasing a target of 261. Eng 66-1, 10 overs.

Gul strikes in his second over removing the dangerous Hales. Eng 27-1, 4.3 overs.

Alex Hales c Mohammad Hafeez b Umar Gul 7 (10b 1x4)

Gul comes into the attack but boundaries keep flowing for England with Roy picking three. Eng 22-0, 3 overs.

Amir goes for a couple of boundaries in his first over. Eng 10-0, 2 overs.

Pakistan innings

Half centuries by skipper Azhar Ali (82) and Sarfraz Ahmed (55) helped Pakistan make 260-6 after opting to bat first in the first one-day international against England with rain clouds threatening to disrupt the second innings.

Nawaz cracks two consecutive boundaries off Plunkett. Pak 236-6, 46 overs.

Another breakthrough for England as Sarfraz departs rather tamely holing out to midoff. Pak 22-6, 44.3 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed c Wood b Woakes 55 (58b 3x4)

Malik perishes as Pakistan begin to search for quick runs after the rain delay. Pak 224-5, 43.5 overs.

Shoaib Malik c Rashid b Plunkett 17 (25b)

Play has been suspended because of a heavy drizzle with Pakis 218-4, 42.1 overs.

Sarfraz completes a brisk half century, his fourth in ODIs. Pak 217-4, 42 overs.

The skipper departs holing out in the deep attempting to step up the ante as Adil picks up his second wicket. Pak 178-4, 35.5 overs.

Azhar Ali c Ali b Rashid 82 (110b 9x4)

Azhar completes his half century which comes off 84 balls. Pak 134-3, 29 overs.

Adil strikes in his second over trapping Babar leg before. Pak 113-3, 24 overs.

Babar Azam lbw b Rashid 40 (42b 4x4)

Root has struck with his golden arm as Hafeez attempts to sweep only to get a top edge to the fielder at backward square leg. Pak 52-2, 12.2 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez c Hales b Root 11 (15b 2x4)

Azhar survives being let off in the gully by Hales of Woakes. Pak 27-1, 7 overs.

Wood strikes as Sharjeel attempts to pull a short delivery only to get a faint edge with Pakistan losing the decision review. Pak 25-1, 5.1 overs.

Sharjeel Khan c Buttler b Wood 16 (15b 3x4)

Sharjeel pulls Wood to midwicket for the first boundary and runs of the match.

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first in the opening one-day international against England at Southampton on Wednesday.

England: A Hales, J Roy, J Root, E Morgan, B Stokes, J Buttler, M Ali, C Woakes, A Rashid, L Plunkett, M Wood

Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz (3), Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Umar Gul

Spinners

England could play three spinners in the first game of their five-match series against Pakistan in Southampton on Wednesday, said one-day captain Eoin Morgan.

A fixture guaranteed to make history, because the third umpire will call front foot no-balls, will take another interesting twist if England field Liam Dawson alongside Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.

The Hampshire left-arm spinner is hoping to play on his home ground, particularly in dry conditions in the day-night game at the Ageas Bowl.

"Having Liam Dawson brings the option of playing three spinners and that is something we might have to take into consideration as we look ahead to the winter tours of Bangladesh and India," said Morgan.

"It will be a very tough series against Pakistan especially as the recent warm weather means conditions may suit them more than they suit us initially. It is a good test leading into the winter."

England go into the game full of confidence after their series victory over Sri Lanka earlier this season.

All-rounder Ben Stokes and his Durham team mate Mark Wood are back from calf and ankle injuries respectively although the former will play as a batsman only for the first two games.

Pakistan, who this week rose to number one in the test rankings after their 2-2 draw with England, look to improve a dismal recent record against opponents who have beaten them in eight of their last nine games.

"We have very good potential in one-day cricket also, we've certainly got belief," said Azhar Ali who has replaced test captain Misbah-ul-Haq as skipper.

"It's really important going into any series, you need to have belief and trust in the ability of the players. If we bring our A game we definitely will compete."