‘Third stringers putting Pakistan to the sword’

England dominated Pakistan in the first One-day International (ODI) in Cardiff despite fielding a depleted lineup.

England named an entirely revamped 18-man squad on Tuesday, with the returning all-rounder Ben Stokes as captain instead of Eoin Morgan, after three of their players and four support staff, all as yet unnamed, tested positive for Covid-19 in Bristol on Monday.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the England squad, which faced Sri Lanka, were forced to self-isolate. Consequently, they were ruled out of the three ODIs against Pakistan as well.

The home side fielded five debutants in the first ODI on Thursday against Pakistan.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

Have to admire how England cricket have used covid to create opportunity and exposure at international level for young cricketers. Keeps things fresh while broadening talent pool. Third stringers putting Pakistan to the sword here.

— Rory Kleinveldt (@RoryK_9) July 8, 2021

Hahaha in last 3 balls shaheen shah looked better then many 🤣

— Yasir Hameed (@Yasir_HameedQ) July 8, 2021

Moment I fell in love with football #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/fRo4mUYBM5

— 𝓢𝓮𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓱 🇵🇰 (@itsmeSehrish) July 8, 2021

The amount of time Rob Key, Nasir Hussain and Nick Night said the word #PSL in last 30 mins made my morning but Saqib Mahmood ruined it all 😓😓😓#PAKvENG

— Saqib Shah (@Saqibca) July 8, 2021

When you realize these same players played PSL few days back
#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/sfHgXJq6ez

— Syeda Trimzi (@TrimiziiiSyeda) July 8, 2021

Starting to look for the Champions Trophy 2017 Final DVD to watch instead 😬 #ENGvPAK #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 8, 2021

84 runs from Pakistan's top six today, the fewest runs they've managed in an ODI since they were rolled by the West Indies at Nottingham in the 2019 World Cup. #ENGvPAK

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 8, 2021