ENG VS PAK ODI

That's your lot for the day. The third ODI is on 13th July 2021 at Edgbaston. The action will begin at 1 pm local (12 pm GMT) but you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers from our side.

Got to feel bad for Hasan Ali. He had an outstanding match, both with the ball and bat. His fifer broke the back of England's batting and when the chips were down, his attacking batting sent shivers in the English camp. Despite all his heroics, he had to end on the losing side this evening and that's very unfortunate. Anyway, it's part and parcel of the game.

Lewis Gregory, the MAN OF THE MATCH, says that it was the case of taking it as deep as possible and bat a few overs. Tells that the ball nibbled a bit all day and he felt that they could pitch it up and get some wickets. Feels that the guys were outstanding. Mentions that it is a fantastic opportunity for the lads to show what they are capable of.

Ben Stokes, the England skipper, is thrilled with the way they showed intent with the bat early on. Mentions that it was a tricky middle period for them with the bat but also adds that it was pleasing to see the inexperienced players showing the attacking mindset. Calls England's performance with the ball clinical and tells that picking early wickets always helps while defending scores. States that Gregory and Carse are capable batsmen and their partnership gave England a good total. Says that they have won the series but there is nothing like continuing the winning streak and promises to come even harder in the next match.

Babar Azam, the Pakistan skipper, says that they bowled well in the first 10 overs but they needed to maintain the same intensity. Adds that Hasan Ali bowled outstandingly well. Tells that they did not utilize the first 10 overs with the bat and did not get any big partnerships either and they need to rectify that in the next game. Goes onto say that Hasan Ali was brilliant and Saud Shakeel showed his passion and he performed well. Adds that they will try their best to win the last match as crucial World Cup Super League points are at stake.

Time for the presentation...

After a stuttering batting show by the English batsmen, it was necessary for their bowlers to put the best foot forward. Saqib Mahmood and Lewis Gregory were once again brilliant with the new balls as they maintained a tight grip on the scoring rate along with giving Pakistan the initial blows. The second line of the English bowling attack comprising Craig Overton, Brydon Carse and Matt Parkinson was quite impressive as well. Altogether, it was a complete team effort although the victory didn't come as easy as it came in Cardiff.

Chasing a target of 248, all Pakistan needed was a steady start. But their top order flopped again. Fakhar, Babar and Rizwan, the in-form batsmen for them, had yet another forgetful outing with the bat. The Pakistan skipper did play a few delightful shots before getting out but Zaman struggled big-time during his stay. In the first 10 overs, three wickets were down and the touring team was always behind the 8-ball from thereon. Saud Shakeel was the only batsman who showed the composure and desire to stay out in the middle and build an inning. He notched up his maiden ODI fifty and kept a little bit of hope alive for Pakistan. There were a couple of moments when Pakistan managed to scare England. One was when Hasan Ali took Matt Parkinson to the cleaners and another was when the stand between Saud and Shaheen Afridi was blossoming. It was taking Pakistan slowly but steadily towards the target. One thing is for sure, had Pakistan been more sensible in preserving their wickets, they would have ended on the right side of the result. This is something for the team management to ponder on.

It was not a perfect game by any means for England as they had their fair share of struggle, mainly with the bat. After starting on the wrong note, Salt and Vince steadied the innings with their attacking partnership. Just when it appeared that the hosts will run away with a big score on the board, Pakistan bounced back via their spinners. Shakeel and Shadab combined to remove both the set batsmen and then the Three Lions suffered a collapse. They lost 5 wickets in the blink of an eye and were staring down the barrel. Then, came an unlikely alliance between Gregory and Carse. The pair added 69 runs for the 8th wicket and helped England recover from a precarious situation.

Victory for England and they have taken an unassailable lead in the series along with strengthening their position at the top in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! That's it! Brilliant stuff! Short and down the leg side, Rauf looks to pull but it goes off the gloves to the left of John Simpson. The English wicketkeeper dives across and takes a very good catch. They appeal and the finger has gone up. ENGLAND WIN BY 52 RUNS AND WIN THE SERIES WITH ONE GAME TO SPARE.

SWING AND A MISS! Full one outside off, Rauf looks to swing it away but fails to get any bat on it.

Good length ball on off, Rauf defends it to point.

Short ball on middle, Afridi pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

On a length on middle, Rauf nudges it to the leg side for one.

Full on off, Afridi punches it to deep cover for one.

Haris Rauf is the last man in. Lewis Gregory is back into the attack as well.

OUT! End of Saud Shakeel and it's the final nail in the coffin of Pakistan. Matt Parkinson once again gives it a good toss and tempts the batsman. It lands full around middle and Saud kneels to smoke it over mid-wicket and into the stands. But to his bad luck, his shot doesn't have enough distance and it falls straight down the throat of Craig Overton near the fence. A dejected Shakeel walks back but he has shown to his teammate that it was doable.