Arafat Minhas delivered an all-round performance to help Pakistan defeat England by 87 runs, securing their second win in the ongoing ODI tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 303, England were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs despite a strong start from openers Tom Banton and Ben Duckett. The duo stitched together a 91-run opening partnership, finding boundaries with ease as they took the attack to Pakistan’s bowlers during the early stages of the chase. However, Haris Rauf broke the stand in the 15th over by dismissing Duckett, who fell five runs short of his half-century after scoring 45 off 46 deliveries, including eight boundaries. Banton continued to bat sensibly, building a steady partnership with Harry Brook to take England past the 100-run mark. During the stand, Banton also brought up his third ODI half-century. The right-handed batter eventually fell to Arafat Minhas in the 19th over after scoring a fighting 57 off 53 deliveries, including five boundaries and two sixes. His dismissal left England at 120-2 in 18.3 overs. In the 21st over, Minhas struck again to remove England captain Brook, who managed just five off seven deliveries. Sam Curran and Joe Root then attempted to revive the chase, building a partnership that took England past the 150-run mark. However, Naseem Shah provided Pakistan with a crucial breakthrough by bowling Root for 33 off 35 deliveries, including five boundaries. England were reduced to 165-4 in 28.5 overs. Pakistan continued to tighten their grip on the contest as Rauf struck again, dismissing Curran for 27 off 39 deliveries, including a six, to put England under further pressure. England continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as Minhas claimed his third wicket by dismissing Jordan Cox for 18 off 16 deliveries, including a boundary and a six. The visitors were left struggling at 197-6 in 34.5 overs. Minhas continued his impressive spell, claiming his fourth wicket by dismissing Jamie Overton for one off four deliveries to leave England reeling at 198-7. The all-rounder then struck twice in consecutive deliveries during his ninth over, dismissing Will Jacks for 19 before removing Adil Rashid for a first-ball duck to complete his second five-wicket haul in ODIs. Minhas capped off his outstanding performance by running out Gus Atkinson following a mix-up, bowling England out and sealing an emphatic victory for Pakistan. Arafat Minhas spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling attack with impressive figures of 6/40 in 8.4 overs. Haris Rauf claimed two wickets, while Naseem Shah chipped in with one. Earlier, half-centuries from Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas helped Pakistan recover from an early batting wobble to post 302. 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.
Arafat Minhas stars as Pakistan thrash England by 87 runs in ODI tri-series
