England crumbled to an 87-run defeat in their ODI tri-series opener against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, as their batting collapsed after a strong start. Chasing 303, England were cruising on 91-0 inside 15 overs, but were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs, losing their final seven wickets for just 50 runs.
Home spinner Arafat Minhas was the star of the show, backing up his maiden ODI half-century with figures of 6-40. Visiting captain Harry Brook was bowled by a beauty from Arafat for just 5, after Ben Duckett (45) and Tom Banton (57) had failed to build on a rollicking opening stand.
The tourists wilted once the hosts broke a partnership of 31 between Joe Root (33) and Sam Curran (27). Arafat was then on a hat-trick after removing Will Jacks and Adil Rashid in successive deliveries, before he ran out Gus Atkinson two balls later to clinch victory. Arafat was involved in each of the final five wickets, with Stuart Broad describing one dismissal as "an appalling dismissal."
England return to action against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Thursday, in a tournament where the top two sides in the table will meet in a final in Lahore on October 31. Pakistan had already beaten Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening game of the tri-series.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing