RAWALPINDI, OCT 20: Half-centuries from Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas helped Pakistan recover from an early batting wobble to post 302 in the second match of the ODI tri-series against England at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Pakistan endured an early batting collapse as Gus Atkinson struck off the first ball, dismissing opener Fakhar Zaman, while Sonny Baker removed Saim Ayub for eight after a 31-run second-wicket stand.
Babar Azam attempted to steady the innings, scoring 34 off 52 balls with four boundaries, but Will Jacks dismissed him to leave Pakistan struggling at 59-3 in 14.2 overs.
Salman Ali Agha, who scored a century in the opening match, managed just 16 before falling to Adil Rashid. Then Saad Baig Nawaz rebuilt the innings, adding 51 runs before Atkinson dismissed Saad for 35 off 54 deliveries, including five boundaries.
Nawaz counterattacked with fluent strokeplay, reaching his second consecutive ODI half-century as Pakistan crossed 200. Arafat Minhas provided valuable support, and their 78-run partnership ended when Jamie Overton bowled Nawaz for 79 off 74 balls, including five fours and four sixes.
Minhas continued to anchor the innings alongside Faheem Ashraf, who accelerated the scoring with a flurry of boundaries. Their partnership helped Pakistan cross 250 before Baker dismissed Minhas for an impressive 59 off 58 deliveries, featuring nine boundaries, leaving the hosts at 283-7 after 48 overs.
Faheem contributed 39 off 25 balls, including five fours and a six, before Sam Curran dismissed him.
Captain Shaheen Afridi struck back-to-back boundaries to push Pakistan to 294-8 entering the final over. Baker claimed his third wicket by dismissing Naseem Shah for one, conceding eight runs in the over.
Shaheen remained unbeaten on 10, while Haris Rauf was four not out as Pakistan finished on 302-9, recovering from a disastrous start through valuable middle- and lower-order contributions.
For England, Sonny Baker led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Gus Atkinson claimed two. Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid and Sam Curran picked up one wicket apiece.
