×

Innings Report: Azhar Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed help Pakistan set England target of 261 in 1st ODI

Pakistan will hope that their bowlers can defend this total and go 1-0 up in the five-match ODI series against England.

Azhar Ali top-scored for Pakistan with 82 © Getty Images
Azhar Ali top-scored for Pakistan with 82 © Getty Images

Pakistan have managed to post 260 for 6 in their 50 overs in the first One-Day International (ODI) against England at Southampton. Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali top-scored for the visitors with a 110-ball 82. There were many contributions along the way. Babar Azam made a useful 40, Sarfraz Ahmed then came down the order to score an excellent fifty to help Pakistan reach a decent score.  With rain looming large, it was important got a good total and also ensure that they do not lose too many wickets along the way, so that England have a daunting target to chase if Duckworth-Lewis was to come into play. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs England, 1st ODI at Southampton

As expected, rain played spoilsport in the 43rd over with Pakistan at 218 for 4. After a brief rain break, play finally resumed without any overs being reduced.This match marked the return of Mark Wood in ODIs after nearly a year. He started off well, getting rid of Sharjeel for 16 early in the innings. Despite nicking it, Sharjeel took a review and it was an unsuccessful one. That would prove costly as Azam was given out leg before off an inside edge, but could not review it as Pakistan had used their only review of the innings. Azam and Azhar put on 61 for the third wicket, which was crucial after Pakistan lost a couple of wickets with 52 on the board. Pakistan vs England, 1st ODI Live Updates

Sarfraz was promoted to No. 5 in this match and he justified this decision as he got to his fifty at nearly run-a-ball. It was an impressive innings. Shoaib Malik walked into bat after Sarfraz and Azhar put on 65 for the fourth wicket. He was happy to play second fiddle to Sarfraz in the unbeaten 46-run stand. Both Malik and Sarfraz were dismissed four deliveries, which gave England a chance of restricting Pakistan to under 250. Mohammad Nawaz and Imad Wasim ensured that Pakistan got more than that and set England a formidable target in the end. The duo added 34 in quick time for the seventh wicket to give Pakistan a fighting chance in the contest.

It was Pakistan, who had won the toss and elected to bat first. Pakistan opted for Imad Wasim ahead of Yasir Shah for this match. Also, Ben Stokes, who returns to the ODI team after missing the Sri Lanka series, is not fit enough to bowl in this match as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan 260 for 6 in 50 Overs (Azhar Ali 82, Sarfraz Ahmed 55; Joe Root 1 for 26, Adil Rashid 2 for 51) vs England

Full Scorecard: Pakistan vs England, 1st ODI

trending this week