Arafat Minhas stars as Pakistan defeat England by 87 runs

Pakistan beat England by 87 runs in the opening match of the one-day international tri-series in Rawalpindi, with Arafat Minhas taking six wickets after helping his side recover with the bat.

Pakistan were 190-5 in the 37th over when England wicketkeeper Jordan Cox dropped Arafat on 12. Arafat went on to make 59 from 58 balls, while Hasan Nawaz top-scored with 79, as Pakistan reached 302-9 in their 50 overs.

England began their chase quickly, reaching 91 without loss, but Ben Duckett was out for 45 and Tom Banton’s 57 ended when he hit Arafat to mid-wicket. Arafat then bowled captain Harry Brook for five and took two more wickets as England collapsed to 215 all out in 38.4 overs, losing their last seven wickets for 50 runs.

The result gives Pakistan two wins from two and puts them close to a place in the final. England, who have not played an ODI in Pakistan since 2005, next face Sri Lanka at the same ground on Thursday. Both teams are seeking their first win in the series.

The tri-series is England’s first of a potential 21 ODIs in preparation for next year’s World Cup in southern Africa. England had won their three previous ODI series this year, but were without Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer and Jacob Bethell. Pakistan’s total was built after they had slipped to 133-5, with Nawaz and Arafat helping to lift them to a competitive score.