Second ODI: England’s inexperienced side beats Pakistan to clinch series

LORDS: A ruthless England thrashed Pakistan in the second ODI by 52 runs at Lords today (Saturday) to take an unassailable two-nil lead in the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series.

Chasing a target of 248 runs, Pakistan was dismissed for 195 with six overs left after Saud Shakeel had made 56, his maiden ODI fifty. Lewis Gregory took 3-44 after the Somerset all-rounder made a valuable 40 in England´s 247.

Pakistan were off to a shaky start once more as all-rounder Lewis Gregory forced an edge from opener Imamul Haq which was safely pouched by wicketkeeper John Simpson.

Pacer Saqib Mahmood caught skipper Babar Azam LBW as another collapse seemed highly likely. Mahmood then forced an edge from wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan which was easily taken by wicketkeeper.

Pacer Craig Overton took opener Fakhar Zaman’s wicket after the latter had scored just 10 runs off 45 balls. Hard-hitting batsman Sohaib Maqsood (19 off 17) became Overton’s next victim as he skied a delivery that was safely pouched by wicketkeeper.

Pakistan both all-rounders, Shadab Khan or Faheem Ashraf, could not produce a worthwhile performance for their side in crisis.   Batsman Saud Shakeel stood tall in the middle with his solid technique as wickets fell around him. 

The batsman managed 56 runs off 77 balls, his maiden ODI fifty, before finally being removed by Matt Parkinson as all chances of an unlikely victory for Pakistan faded away.

All-rounder Lewis Gregory than removed tailender Haris Rauf as England bundled out Pakistan for 195 runs off 41 overs on the way to an emphatic 52-run victory.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being asked to bat first, England were off to a horrible start as opener Dawid Malan and batsman Zak Crawley were removed in short-order for ducks.

Despite the early wickets, England batsmen did not go into a shell, counterattacking with precision to leave the bowlers shell shocked. Opener Phil Salt and batsman James Vince combined for a breezy 97-run partnership off 80 balls to provide a solid foundation for their side.

Phil Salt top-scored for the home side with 60 — his maiden ODI fifty and James Vince made 56, with Hasan Ali taking 5-51 in what was the first ODI at Lord´s since England´s dramatic 2019 World Cup final win over New Zealand.