Arafat Minhas stars as Pakistan crush England by 87 runs

Tri-Nation
Arafat Minhas celebrates with Babar Azam after taking the wicket of Tom Banton
Arafat Minhas celebrates with Babar Azam after taking the wicket of Tom Banton
Online Desk
Online Desk
Arafat Minhas delivered a stunning all-round bowling performance, taking six wickets to help Pakistan secure an 87-run victory over England in the second match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

After posting 302 for nine in their 50 overs, Pakistan bowled England out for 215 in 38.4 overs to register a comprehensive win.

Minhas was the standout performer with the ball, claiming six wickets for 40 runs in 8.4 overs as England struggled to keep pace with the required run rate during their chase of 303.

England made a promising start through Ben Duckett and Tom Banton, who put together a 91-run opening partnership. Duckett scored 45 off 46 balls before falling to Haris Rauf, while Banton struck 57 off 53 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes.

However, Pakistan struck at regular intervals to derail the chase. Joe Root contributed 33 before being dismissed by Naseem Shah, while England captain Harry Brook managed only five.

Sam Curran added 27, but Minhas then dismantled the middle and lower order, removing Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid and others to complete his six-wicket haul. Rauf claimed two wickets, while Naseem took one as England were dismissed well before the end of their allotted overs.

Earlier, Pakistan recovered from a shaky start to post a competitive total. They lost Fakhar Zaman for a golden duck and Saim Ayub for eight before Babar Azam and Saad Baig steadied the innings.

Babar scored 34 off 52 balls, while Baig made 35 off 54 deliveries. Salman Agha contributed 16 before Hasan Nawaz and Minhas took charge of the innings.

Hasan top-scored with 79 off 74 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes. Minhas followed with an aggressive 59 off 58 deliveries, including nine boundaries, as the pair added 78 runs for the sixth wicket to put Pakistan in a strong position.

Faheem Ashraf provided a late boost with 39 off just 26 balls, featuring five fours and a six, helping Pakistan cross the 300-run mark.

For England, Sonny Baker claimed three wickets, while Gus Atkinson and Ernest Masuku took two each. Will Jacks, Jamie Overton and Adil Rashid picked up one wicket apiece.

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