Arafat Minhas' all-round show helps Pakistan stun tame England by 87 runs

Pakistan defeated England by 87 runs in the second match of the ODI tri-series at Rawalpindi on October 20, 2026. Pakistan posted 302 for 9 in their 50 overs and then bowled England out for 215 in 38.4 overs to secure a convincing victory.

Arafat Minhas was the standout performer of the match, contributing decisively with both bat and ball. He scored 59 off 58 balls, his maiden ODI half-century, and then returned figures of 6 for 40 in 8.4 overs, his career-best bowling performance in the format. Minhas was named Player of the Match for his efforts.

Hasan Nawaz also played a key role in Pakistan's total, scoring 79 off 74 balls for his second ODI fifty. The two lower-order contributions helped Pakistan reach a competitive total after what appeared to be a challenging middle phase, and the partnership between Nawaz and Minhas proved to be the foundation on which Pakistan's innings was built.

What did Arafat Minhas' bowling performance mean for his ODI career?

Minhas' figures of 6 for 40 represent his best bowling performance in ODI cricket. The left-arm spinner had already made a notable mark on his ODI debut in May 2026, when he became the first Pakistani bowler to take a five-wicket haul on debut in the format. His haul against England on October 20 surpassed that earlier effort and confirmed his growing status as one of Pakistan's most promising limited-overs bowlers.

His batting contribution of 59 off 58 balls added another dimension to an already remarkable individual display. Minhas scored his maiden ODI half-century in the same match in which he recorded his career-best bowling figures, a combination that earned him the Player of the Match award by a clear margin. The performance underlined his value to Pakistan as a genuine all-round option in the middle and lower order.

How did England's batting collapse shape the result?

England were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs, well short of Pakistan's target of 303. Despite a 91-run opening stand between Tom Banton and Ben Duckett, England lost their way in the chase after a poor outing in the field saw Pakistan get to 302 for 9 despite reeling at 133 for 5 in the 28th over of their innings.

Minhas was the chief destroyer with the ball, taking six of the ten wickets to fall and finishing with figures of 6 for 40. Pakistan's total of 302 for 9, built substantially on the contributions of Minhas and Nawaz in the batting innings, proved more than enough to secure the 87-run victory and keep Pakistan's campaign in the tri-series firmly on track.