Sarfraz, Shoaib steer Pakistan to consolation win over England


(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik shared a fluent partnership of 163 to lead the tourists to a consolation four-wicket win over England in the fifth and final one-day international in Cardiff on Sunday.

The hosts, put into bat, mustered a respectable 302 for nine from 50 overs but their bowling lacked penetration and Pakistan reached the victory target with 10 balls to spare.

England fast bowler Mark Wood took two wickets in one over to reduce the touring side to 77 for three before Sarfraz and Shoaib assumed control.

They attacked England spinner Liam Dawson on his ODI debut and Sarfraz struck an excellent 90 off 73 balls before skying Dawson to Alex Hales on the boundary.

The experienced Shoaib also fell to a catch in the deep off Dawson for 77 but Mohammad Rizwan's unbeaten 34 guided Pakistan home.

The sides, who drew 2-2 in the Test series, meet in a one-off Twenty20 international in Manchester on Wednesday.

Earlier, Jason Roy and Ben Stokes both struck quickfire fifties as England made 302 for nine.

Roy made 87 and Stokes an ODI-best 75 as England set Pakistan a challenging total to chase.

At 244 for five England - who posted a world record 444 for three in the third ODI in Nottingham - were set for another huge score. But Pakistan pegged them back with paceman Hasan Ali taking an ODI best four for 60 and left-arm quick Mohammad Amir three for 50.

Opening batsman Roy, dropped on 56 when a diving Mohammad Rizwan could not hold a tough chance at mid-wicket, put on 72 for the fourth wicket with Stokes.

All-rounder Stokes and wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow then added 55 for the fifth wicket.

England made a rapid start after being sent into bat on a green-tinged pitch and under overcast skies by Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, who clearly hoped his pace bowlers could exploit the helpful conditions.

Alex Hales struck Amir, recalled in place of the injured Mohammad Irfan, for three successive fours in as many balls at the start of the fifth over. - AFP

But Amir, switching to around the wicket, had his revenge two balls later when Hales (23) chipped a deliberately slower delivery to Shoaib Malik at mid-on, with England 37 for one.

The lively Hasan then dismissed Joe Root for a mere nine when the batsman inside-edged an attempted drive on to his stumps.

England were 92 for three after Imad Wasim, born in the nearby south Wales city of Swansea, struck with his third ball when England captain Eoin Morgan (10) tamely chipped a full toss straight back to the left-arm spinner. Wasim finished with fine figures of one for 33 in his maximum 10 overs.

Roy, who has been in excellent ODI form for England this season, averaging over 62, with two hundreds against Sri Lanka, twice launched off-spinner Malik for straight sixes.

But in sight of what would have been his fourth ODI century, Roy top-edged a pull off Amir's clever slower-ball bouncer to Hasan at deep square leg.

Roy faced 89 balls, including eight fours and those two sixes.

Left-handed batsman Stokes struck seamer Umar Gul and spinner Mohammad Nawaz for two straight sixes before suffering a painful blow when he inside-edged an attempted pull off Gul into his groin.

After several minutes' treatment, Stokes batted on before he flicked Hasan to Gul at short fine leg.

England were in danger of falling short of 300 until Chris Jordan launched Gul for six in the last over.

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