ABU DHABI: Like the Test series, Pakistani spinners continue to dominate the England’s batsmen in the ODIs as well and picked up their three crucial wickets which eventually restricted the visiting side to put a difficult target on the board in the first game in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
However, it was not the case with English spin bowling attack as only Moeen Ali could manage to take 1 wicket.
It was Muhammad Irfan and Anwar Ali who caused serious damage to England batting line up in early part of the innings. England had lost 3 wickets when the total score was 14.
But Eoin Morgan and James Taylor established a 133-run partnership for 4th wicket before the England Captain was caught behind off Shoaib Malik for 76 runs. Later again England came under pressures and all team was bowled out for 216 runs. Taylor remained the second top scorer for England with 60 runs.
For Pakistan, Muhammad Irfan picked up 3 wickets while Anwar Ali and Shoaib Malik secured 2 wickets each. One wicket was also added into Yasir Shah’s record.
Pakistan had a similar start as England did, and lost 3 wickets for only 41 runs. The experienced batsman Younis Khan who was playing his last ODI scored 9 runs. But then Muhammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik and Babar Azam played with maturity and class, leading Pakistan to a comfortable win.
Pakistan chased down the target in 43.3 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Muhammad Hafeez was awarded man of the match for scoring 102 runs. Babar Azam also scored 62 with 4 sixes.
It is a four-match ODI series between Pakistan and England, and the second ODI will take place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
