All-round brilliance from Minhas, who scored 59 and claimed six wickets, powers Pakistan to a commanding victory in Rawalpindi
Arafat Minhas delivered a sensational all-round performance to propel Pakistan to an 87-run victory over England in the second match of the ODI Tri-Series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Minhas struck a fluent 59 off 58 balls before dismantling England’s batting line-up with a career-defining haul of six wickets for 40 runs as the visitors, chasing 303, were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs.
The left-arm spinner’s match-winning contribution earned him the Player of the Match award and secured Pakistan two valuable points in the tri-series.
Asked to bat first after England captain Harry Brook elected to field, Pakistan recovered from an early collapse to post a competitive 302 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.
The hosts suffered an immediate setback when Fakhar Zaman fell for a first-ball duck, while Saim Ayub departed for eight to leave Pakistan at 31 for two. Babar Azam contributed 34 off 52 balls before becoming the third wicket to fall, and Salman Agha’s 16 left the hosts struggling at 81 for four.
Saad Baig and Hasan Nawaz then steadied the innings with a crucial 78-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Baig made 35 off 54 deliveries, providing support for Nawaz, who emerged as Pakistan’s leading scorer with an aggressive 79 off 74 balls, including five fours and four sixes.
Their partnership lifted Pakistan into a position of strength before Baig fell at 133. Nawaz continued to attack, bringing up his half-century off 46 balls and laying the platform for a late-innings assault.
Minhas took full advantage, adding 59 off 58 balls with nine fours, while Faheem Ashraf provided a powerful finish with 39 off just 26 deliveries, including five fours and a six. Their contributions helped Pakistan collect 91 runs in the final 10 overs, despite losing three wickets during that period.
Sonny Baker was England’s most successful bowler with three wickets for 65 runs, while Gus Atkinson claimed two for 35.
England began their chase positively, with Ben Duckett and Tom Banton putting on 91 for the opening wicket. Duckett struck 45 off 46 balls before falling to Haris Rauf, while Banton continued to threaten with 57 off 53 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes.
However, Pakistan struck back at regular intervals. Naseem Shah dismissed Joe Root for 33, while Minhas broke England’s resistance by removing Banton and captain Brook, who managed only five.
Sam Curran made 27, but his dismissal to Rauf left England at 177 for five. From there, Minhas took complete control, claiming the wickets of Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton and Adil Rashid to reduce England to 214 for nine.
He completed his six-wicket haul when Gus Atkinson was run out for seven, ending England’s innings at 215 in 38.4 overs.
Minhas finished with outstanding figures of six for 40 from 8.4 overs, while Rauf supported him with two wickets for 32 runs. Naseem claimed one wicket.
The 87-run victory underlined Pakistan’s strength in both batting depth and spin bowling, while England were left to reflect on a promising start to their chase that unravelled once the hosts broke their opening partnership.
Pakistan collected two points from the match, strengthening their position in the three-team competition. England, meanwhile, were left searching for answers after a comprehensive defeat in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan 302 for 9 (Nawaz 79, Minhas 59, Baker 3-65) beat England 215 (Banton 57, Minhas 6-40) by 87 runs
