England completed a series whitewash against Pakistan after winning the final ODI by 3 wickets at Edgbaston.
Babar Azam’s 158 runs went in vain as England’s second string side chased down a huge score of 332 runs with two overs to spare. James Vince led the chase and formed a 129 run partnership with Lewis Gregory after Pakistan had reduced them to 165/5.
This defeat was typical of Pakistan’s performance over the years. Having dominated in the first inning with the bat and doing well with the ball Pakistan sat back and failed to press home the advantage. Loose bowling, dropped catches and passive captaincy allowed England back in the game. James Vince and Lewis Gregory took the Pakistan bowlers to cleaners racking up runs quickly in the chase.
Even when they were dismissed the game was in England’s pocket. Craig Overton and Brydon Carse finsihing off the job with two overs to go.
Earlier England won the tossn and put the visitors to bat. After Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal, Imam-ul-haq and Babar Azam repaired the damage. Imam completed a half century and was dismissed for 56. Mohammad Rizwan then took the game to England and scored a quickfire 50. On the other hand Babar Azam scored his 19th ODI century and then went on to score his highest 50-over score with 158.
Rizwan’s dismissal sparked a mini collapse but Pakistan still put a good looking 331 runs on the board, before familiar failings came back to haunt them as they were left empty handed from the ODI series in which England’s fringe players took part.
The attention now turns to the T20 series \with the World Cup in mind. Pakistan will have to perform much better if they are to stand a chance in the shortest form of the game.