Eng v Pak 2nd ODI Review – England cruise past Pakistan to take 2-0 lead

After a crucial win in the first ODI, hosts England were keen on imposing a total dominion in the 2^nd ODI at the iconic venue Lords against the visitors Pakistan. The spirited Pakistan team under Azhar Ali hoped for a turnaround in the game to keep themselves interested in the series. It was the batting that let them down in the first match and yet again the eyes were set on the Pakistan batting lineup, the opener Sharjeel Khan in particular.

After having won the toss, Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali opted to bat first. Pakistan made 3 changes to their side – drafting in Yasir Shah for Mohammad Nawaz, Sami Aslam for Mohammad Hafeez and Hasan Ali for Umar Gul. On the contrary, England were content on playing with the same winning combination.

Pakistan were in for a shock as the openers, Sami Aslam and Sharjeel Khan, strolled down to the middle.  Chris Woakes struck gold in the 2^nd over of the match as he got rid of Aslam for just 1. Pacer Mark Wood got the priced scalp of the dangerman Sharjeel Khan in the very next over to send him packing for a duck. Skipper Azhar Ali, who had come in at number 3, also got out for a duck to Woakes in the 4^th over. The scorecard looked terrifying as Pakistan were reeling on 2/3 in 3.1 overs.

The two new batsmen, Sarfraz Ahmed and Babar Azam, had a big task of rebuilding the innings from the scratch. While Azam took the role of the aggressor, Ahmed played second fiddle to him. A brief 64 run stand for the 4^th wicket gave some respite to the Pakistan team before Azam was cleaned up by Plunkett for 30 (33) in the 14^th over. In walked veteran batsman Shoaib Malik to join Ahmed at the crease.

Ahmed was playing an uncharacteristic slow innings, albeit a much-needed one. Malik played his shots en route his 35 ball 28 before becoming Mark Wood’s 2^nd victim of the day in the 27^th over as Pakistan lost half their side with just 125 runs on the board. Imad Wasim was the new man in. Meanwhile, Sarfraz brought up his half-century at the other end and was doing a perfect anchor role. Wasim and Sarfraz put on 77 runs in 99 balls for the 6^th wicket to take the score past the 200 run mark.

It was in the 42^nd over, when Sarfraz played Plunkett to fine leg to notch up a classy ton. Sarfraz’s resistance ended soon after when Adil Rashid got rid of him in the very next over. Sarfraz took 130 balls for his 105 that included 6 boundaries. Wickets kept tumbling at the other end as Wasim brought up his half century. He couldn’t get any support and was left unbeaten on 63 off 70 with 5 fours and a six as Pakistan were bowled out for 251 in 49.5 overs. Wood and Woakes bagged 3 each, while Plunkett got 2 for England.

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The target of 252 never looked daunting for the hosts in their home conditions. However, they got a brief scare when their opener Jason Roy was dismissed for a duck on the very 2^nd ball of the run chase by Mohammad Amir. His opening partner, Alex Hales, was joined by Joe Root in the middle. The duo played themselves in but Hales departed soon after. Hales’ dismissal came in the 9^th over when Imad Wasim disturbed his wooden work for 14 (24). England stood at 35/2.

Skipper Eoin Morgan walked to the crease and had a point to prove. All of a sudden, the Pakistan bowling looked very ordinary as both Morgan and Root played themselves in unfazed by the bowling changes made by the skipper Ali. Root and Morgan marshalled along to see England cruise past the 100-run mark with ease. Root brought up his half-century in the 21^st over. Morgan wasn’t far behind and raced to his fifty in the 26^th over.

Imad Wasim struck again to break the 112 run stand in the 31^st over when he castled Morgan for 68 (80) to get Ben Stokes at the crease. Ben Stokes looked in a hurry as he put on 56 runs in 47 balls with Root for the 4^th wicket. Stokes plundered 42 off 30 balls with 6 fours and a six before being bowled by Hasan Ali. Jos Buttler followed soon, departing on 4 after being run out by Yasir Shah.

England stood 219/5, needing 33 off 59 balls with Root on 83*. Root perished when England needed 12 to win. Root’s anchor knock of 89 came off 108 deliveries with 5 fours. Riaz took the priced scalp but a little too late. Woakes (7* off 9) and Ali (21* off 29) saw England home with 6 wickets in hand and 15 balls to spare.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan 251/10 in 49.5 overs (Sarfraz 105, Wasim 63*, Woakes 3/42, Wood 3/46)                                     

England 255/6 in 47.3 overs (Root 89, Morgan 68, Wasim 2/38, Amir 1/39)