England began their winter cricket campaign with a sloppy 87 run defeat against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
England suffered a heavy 87 run defeat against Pakistan in the opening match of the one-day international tri-series held in Rawalpindi, according to information published by BBC.
The touring side struggled with dropped catches and a dramatic batting collapse, as all-rounder Arafat Minhas starred with both bat and ball to dismantle the English squad.
This fixture marks the start of a demanding winter schedule for England, featuring multiple overseas tours and a long run-in toward the upcoming 50-over World Cup.
Arafat Minhas Stars with Bat and Ball in Rawalpindi
Asked to bat first, Pakistan reached 302-9 in their 50 overs, recovering from a tricky position thanks to a powerful 79 runs from Hasan Nawaz and a crucial 59 from Arafat Minhas.
England contributed to their own downfall in the field by dropping three catches, including a costly miss by wicketkeeper Jordan Cox when Arafat was on just 12 runs.
Pakistan head coach and team management saw their side capitalize on these fielding errors, setting a challenging target that proved too steep for the visiting batsmen.
England Batting Collapse Hands Pakistan Victory
Chasing 303 to win, England made a rapid start before crumbling under pressure, losing their last seven wickets for just 50 runs to be bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs.
Tom Banton top-scored with 57 runs and Ben Duckett added 45, but left-arm spinner Arafat tore through the lower order to finish with remarkable bowling figures of 6-40.
Captain Harry Brook was bowled for five runs, while Joe Root fell for 33 to pace bowler Naseem Shah as the English batting order faltered against disciplined spin bowling.
Captain Harry Brook Admits Side Was Too Careful
Reflecting on the disappointing result, England captain Harry Brook noted that the team was initially happy with limiting Pakistan to a competitive total on a flat pitch.
However, Brook admitted that his players were perhaps a little too careful against the spinners during the middle overs and failed to build the necessary partnerships.
With two wins from two matches, Pakistan are now on the brink of the final, while England will look to bounce back against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Thursday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the England and Pakistan ODI match in Rawalpindi?
Pakistan defeated England by 87 runs in the opening match of the one-day international tri-series at Rawalpindi, posting 302-9 before bowling England out for 215.
Who was the star player for Pakistan against England?
All-rounder Arafat Minhas was the standout player, scoring 59 runs with the bat and taking 6-40 with his left-arm spin, alongside a 79-run knock from Hasan Nawaz.
Why did England lose their first match of the winter tour?
England struggled with dropped catches in the field and suffered a dramatic batting collapse, losing their final seven wickets for 50 runs against disciplined bowling.
Who are England playing next in the cricket tri-series?
England will face Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi ground on Thursday as both teams search for their first victory in the ongoing one-day international tri-series.
