Ruthless England down clueless Pakistan in second ODI to clinch series

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A ruthless England side downed a clueless Pakistan team in the second ODI by 52 runs at Lords on Saturday to take an unassailable two-nil lead in the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series between the two sides. 

Chasing a target of 248 runs, Pakistan were off to a shaky start once more as all-rounder Lewis Gregory forced an edge from opener Imamul Haq (one off two) which was safely pouched by wicketkeeper John Simpson. 

Pacer Saqib Mahmood, who had tormented Pakistan in the first ODI, caught skipper Babar Azam (19 off 15) LBW as another collapse seemed highly likely. 

Mahmood then forced an edge from wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan (five off 11) which was easily taken by wicketkeeper John Simpson. 

With the two most-prolific batsmen in the Pakistan lineup out of the way, England bowlers started to apply a chokehold on the proceedings. 

Pacer Craig Overton reaped the benefits of his side’s disciplined bowling, as he castled opener Fakhar Zaman 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 John Simpson. 

Pakistan found themselves in trouble and needed one of their two all-rounders Shadab Khan or Faheem Ashraf to build a stable partnership with batsman Saud Shakeel. Both players however could not produce a worthwhile performance for their side in crisis.  

Shadab (21 off 20) fell first, after playing an uppercut off all-rounder Lewis Gregory which landed in the hands of fielder Matt Parkinson. 

Faheem then tried to play a reverse sweep, off the bowling of leg-spinner Matt Parkinson, that was anticipated by wicketkeeper John Simpson who completed a sharp catch. 

Tailender Hasan Ali came out with all guns blazing as his side was on the verge of a series loss. The dynamic cricketer played an enterprising knock of 31 runs off 17 balls before being removed by bowler Brydon Carse, caught by fielder Craig Overton. 

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, caught by fielder Craig Overton, as all chances of an unlikely victory for Pakistan faded away. 

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

Lewis Gregory was the standout bowler for his side, picking up three wickets. 

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. 

Pacer Hasan Ali struck first as he forced Dawid Malan to edge a widish delivery into the hands of fielder Shadab Khan at slip. 

Pacer Shaheen Shah then bowled an absolutely blazing yorker to rip through the defenses of Zak Crawley who made his way back to the pavilion with a golden duck. 

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. 

Part-time spinner Saud Shakeel finally got the better of Salt (Bowled) after the opener had managed 60 runs off 54 balls.  

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan then got the better of batman James Vince (Bowled) after the Englishman had scored 56 runs off 52 balls. 

With the game in the perfect balance, Pacer Hasan Ali came roaring back into the match to give his side the advantage. 

The fast-bowler first destroyed the stumps of captain Ben Stokes (22 off 26) as he tried to play an aggressive shot. 

Batsman John Simpson (17 off 19) became Hasan’s next victim as he missed a straight delivery that clattered into his stumps. 

The fast-bowler then managed to force an edge from tailender Craig Overton, for a duck, which was safely caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. 

With England in a considerable amount of trouble, all-rounder Lewis Gregory and tailender Brydon Carse combined for a 69-run partnership off 77 balls to ensure that their side were not bundled out for a paltry total. 

Pacer Haris Rauf got the better of both batsmen towards the end of the innings. Gregory was the first to depart, caught by fielder Fakhar Zaman after scoring 40 runs off 47 balls while Brydon Carse fell soon after, bowled, after scoring 31 runs off 41 balls. 

Hasan Ali then bowled tailender Saqib Mahmood (eight off 16) to complete his fifer and bundle out England for 247 runs in 45.2 overs. 

Hasan Ali was the standout bowler for his side, picking up five wickets.