The match between England and Pakistan was an epic battle, featuring several decisive moments that altered its course.
Durham seamer Brydon Carse makes his England debut, while Somerset spinner Jack Leach rejoins.
Ollie Pope has expressed his satisfaction with the efforts put in by his team and specifically singled out Harry Brook and Joe Root for their impressive performances. In this article, we will discuss the main points of England Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
Joe Root’s Century
Joe Root has been an outstandingly consistent batsman for England throughout his career. Over that span he has amassed an astounding total of 156 Test centuries – making him the seventh-highest run scorer ever. Joe excels at playing all conditions against some of the finest bowlers around and his unique playing style sets him apart from other cricketers globally.
Root was extraordinary during England’s opening Test against Australia at Old Trafford, scoring an outstanding century that helped his side reach 445/6 and earning him man of the match honors. Later against Pakistan he delivered less impressive performance but still managed a fine second innings score of 62 runs, earning himself another man of the match award for his efforts.
Root’s most notable performance came during the fifth Test against India at Trent Bridge. Though almost a formality by the time Root came in to bat, his 104 not out gave England an enormous platform from which they went on to victory against an attack that included Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander; yet he kept going at an almost run-a-ball rate!
Root played an 105-ball innings during which he hit 10 boundaries and went on to post his career-best 254 run score, surpassing Alastair Cook as England’s highest domestic run scorer and becoming only second Englishman after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve five successive Test hundreds in one series.
Root produced another impressive century at Edgbaston during the fifth ODI. He produced a very disciplined innings that led England to an easy 210-run win – his sixth ODI century and surpassing 2,000 runs for England during this one match alone! Root was deservingly named man of the match following this astounding display – although England have had trouble defending their 50-over World Cup title recently, this performance will give them hope going into next month’s T20 World Cup tournament in India and Pakistan.
Ben Stokes’ 85 Runs
Ben Stokes arrived midway through the afternoon session as England were struggling, yet managed to turn it in their favour with an astounding innings that demonstrated pure class and breathtaking power. In an immediate impact he turned around England’s fortunes completely and reversed course for their side.
Joe Root’s second-innings ton fell a few runs short and with an impending batting catastrophe looming large, Stokes was instrumental in turning things around and helping bring about recovery from 221-5 at lunch to within striking distance of victory with two wickets still available to them. Stokes scored an 84 in just 89 balls to guide his side back from disaster and make history on Saturday.
After the break, England’s seam attack dominated Pakistan’s top and middle order, while spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson helped limit them to 237-6 by taking two wickets each – giving England victory on Day Four of its Ashes tour.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan shared an 87-run stand to stave off collapse before Stokes removed Azam with his first delivery after the interval – leaving Stokes to strike three fours and sixes with unmistakable intensity from his bat.
Jonny Bairstow provided good support, adding 127 to their fifth wicket partnership for Jonny, but their partnership came to an abrupt halt when Jonny dragged Kamrul Islam Rabbi (1-24).
England’s tail offered little resistance as they raced to a crushing innings and 273-run lead with ease. Babar Azam was caught off Zafar Abbas (3-28), before Shafiul Islam fell lbw to Rashid (2-52).
Stokes won player of the match for his performances with both bat and ball during their win against Pakistan, and now boasts five ODI centuries from 93 innings in this format. On Friday at Trent Bridge – part of an extended schedule that will see England playing seven total matches over three months – Stokes will attempt to add to that tally when he resumes his ODI career against South Africa for England this summer as the opening ODI against South Africa takes place.
Babar Azam’s 145 Runs
Azam’s impressive performance helped Pakistan inch closer to victory. He made an invaluable 145 runs in the fourth innings and provided support to Fakhar Zaman. Azam took calculated risks at crucial moments to keep momentum alive – his brilliant display helped overcome middle-order collapses and take control of the match.
Babar Azam has emerged as a key member of Sarfraz Ahmed’s Pakistan side since winning their 2018 ODI World Cup victory, becoming one of the highest run scorers worldwide and often being included in starting lineups as a result of his superb batting skills. Many regard him as Pakistan’s future captain – with many tipping him as their potential replacement captain!
He achieved a career-best 196 in the second Test against Australia and became the first Pakistani captain ever to survive 171.4 overs in a fourth innings. Unfortunately, Australia managed to overcome his efforts by taking three quick wickets that reduced his deficit by 194 runs.
As England established a commanding position under Joe Root and Ben Stokes, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman were given the responsibility of rectifying any damage done by their opening pair. Together they formed a solid partnership which kept scores ticking over while sharing key wickets to limit scoring and exert pressure on lower order batsmen.
However, in the final session Pakistan lost their way and their middle order fell apart, failing to gain any momentum and falling further behind England who then turned to their spinners in attempt to salvage a draw.
Pakistani batsmen found the pitch in Karachi more conducive for scoring runs than Rawalpindi’s disappointing surface, which offered no real resemblance of an English track with occasional reverse swing and sharp turns.
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan had done well to restrict England’s innings during the previous session. Their spinners made England work for their runs, forcing them to struggle during their chase of 250 runs for victory. When England lost both openers quickly, however, Pakistan appeared defeated.
Shaheen Afridi’s 2 Wickets
Shaheen Afridi has made great strides since making his first-class debut for Khan Research Laboratories in 2017. Soon after his first-class debut he made headlines when he claimed five wickets in one match at just 18 years of age – breaking all previous records at that time! These performances earned him selection to both Pakistan’s One Day International (ODI) and Test squads.
This 20-year-old quickly made an impactful first two appearances for Pakistan across both formats of international cricket, taking four and six wickets respectively in his opening ODI and T20 international matches. Additionally, he won the ICC T20 Emerging Player of the Year award – further underscoring his standing as one of Pakistan’s most promising young bowlers.
Afridi scored his maiden hat-trick of 2022 Pakistan Super League against Manchester Originals when playing for Lahore Qalandars, taking wickets opener Andy Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker early in over one. Ireland were reduced to 3/2 as Afridi brought down their innings total with his quick bowling attack.
Afridi then repeated his feat in the next over, taking out both Darren Beswick and Luke Wells from the visitors to put them under pressure. Finally, in his fifth over he claimed all three wickets to seal an easy win for champions.
England have taken control of the game with an outstanding all-round performance during their innings of 267. Wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith led with an unbeaten 89 and Ben Duckett and Jos Buttler both contributed half-centuries as they raced ahead by 196 runs at Tea.
Pakistan have been challenged by an impressive pace attack of Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Adil Rashid who have been supported by an outstanding lower-order partnership between Saud Shakeel and Abdullah Shafique; particularly notable was Shafique’s fighting century which cemented their advantage at this stage in the competition. England will hope a good start will give them an advantage as they defend the World Cup against Scotland on Tuesday; with play taking place at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain where conditions should provide good seam movement on dry pitches expected with good seam movement expected between wickets.