Twitter Reactions: Pakistan overcome short-ball frailties to slam 348 runs against England at Trent Bridge
Hafeez, Babar and Sarfaraz slammed half-centuries as England aim to gun down the highest World Cup chase.
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When Eoin Morgan opted to bowl first after winning the toss, there was a sense of fear among the Pakistan fans. Will it be a repeat of the Windies game? The question was all over their minds. To add to their agony, England picked Mark Wood to hit the Pakistan batsmen with pace. But the Men in Green were up for the challenge from the word go and put up a commendable effort with the bat to post 348 runs for the loss of six wickets after 50 overs.
Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq opened the innings for Pakistan and after having a sighter, the former started to go against the bowling. He slammed a few attractive fours clearing the in-field even as his partner looked a bit uncomfortable even playing out a maiden. But things sailed smoothly for Pakistan in the first powerplay as the duo added 82 runs for the first wicket.
Fakhar was looking ominous and was in his elements. But Moeen Ali turned one sharply past his bat and the left-hander was stumped on 36. Soon Imam-ul-Haq was also dismissed on 44 thanks to another sensational catch, this time by Chris Woakes. At 111/2, Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez joined hands and stitched a brilliant partnership.
Hafeez leads the charge
While Babar looked elegant in his approach, Hafeez churned out a few quick runs upfront to get going. The duo added 88 runs for the fourth wicket and took a special liking to Adil Rashid. However, the second drinks break disturbed Babar’s concentration as he gave away a catch in the deep after scoring a fine 63. Hafeez took charge of the innings then along with Sarfaraz Ahmed.
The veteran brought his all the experience to the fore to play a sublime knock. His paced his innings beautifully and one felt that the first three-figure score of the World Cup would come off his bat. But in the process of upping the ante, Hafeez got out on 84 off just 62 deliveries. Again, Woakes made good ground to take the catch.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz was set and he too batted well to take Pakistan over the 300-run mark. Pakistan lost a little too many wickets in the end which led to them not scoring as many runs in the last three-four overs as they would’ve liked to. Eventually, they managed to post 348 runs on the board which is still a mammoth one and England will have to bat out of their skins to gun it down.
Moeen Ali was the best bowler for the hosts as he returned with the figures of 3/50 while Chris Woakes and Mark Wood, though expensive, got into the wickets column.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Michael Vaughan on the unpredictability of the Pakistan cricket team “the other Pakistan have arrived today” #ENGvPAK #CWC19
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 3, 2019
Longest gap between two appearances in the World Cup:
14y 362d – Anderson Cummins (WI/CAN)
12y 74d – SHOAIB MALIK (PAK)
12y 39d – Liam Plunkett (ENG)#ENGvPAK #CWC19— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) June 3, 2019
So Far thank u England ????
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt) June 3, 2019
Pakistan only 5 down! Have they left a bit out there?? Nowadays modern teams should be all out after 50 or at east have someone who is well set? What do we think?
— Nick Compton (@thecompdog) June 3, 2019
Whatever the target gonna be a nice chase to watch. With @englandcricket firepower it presents a good challenge to their chasing capabilities early on in the comp.. I think it will excite their batting group.
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) June 3, 2019
???????? need 360 minimum.. @josbuttler wont miss out again esp with this small boundaries.
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) June 3, 2019
I will admit it … slightly nervous … The other Pakistan have arrived … !!! #CWC19
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 3, 2019
England have fielded to my standard … !!!! #CWC19
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 3, 2019
Pity pity @babarazam258 .. could have got the first 100 of the @cricketworldcup ..
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) June 3, 2019
Super game on in Nottingham #CWC2019 #ENGvPAK Brilliant to see @TheRealPCB batting attitude .. recovering from the other day..and the team to beat England is kind of in the game because of its fielding!!!
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) June 3, 2019
Pakistan finish with 348 for 8. During the recent series against England, they scored 361 for 7, 358 for nine and 340 for seven – and lost the lot. Not saying England WILL win today. But it may not quite the disaster it looks.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) June 3, 2019
Pakistan has even made a comeback in this World Cup, and we are still warming up. #ENGvPAK
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) June 3, 2019
Highest totals in WC without an individual 100:
348/8 Pak vs Eng Nottingham 2019
341/6 SA v UAE Wellington 2015
339/6 Pak v UAE Napier 2015
338/5 Pak v SL Swansea 1983#ENGvPAK #CWC19 #WeHaveWeWill #WeAreEngland— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) June 3, 2019
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 3, 2019
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