ENG v PAK, 5th ODI Review: Malik, Sarfraz star as Pakistan avoid whitewash

England recreated history in the series as they outclassed the jubilant Pakistan team after an average Test series. From being a top force in the Tests to staring down the gun barrel in the final ODI, Pakistan’s dramatic turn of fortunes remains to be the topic for discussion. The top-ranked Test team were hapless in the ODI format and were thoroughly beaten in all departments by the hosts England.

The 5th ODI was all about salvaging some pride for the visitors. After being down and out in the first 4 matches, Pakistan had their pride to play for. For the English, it was about ensuring a total domination and wrapping up with a clean sweep. Coming into the match, Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Pakistan made two changes to their playing eleven as they brought in Shoaib Malik at the expense of Sami Aslam and Mohammad Amir in place of Mohammad Irfan. England, on the other hand, drafted in Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and debutant Liam Dawson and left out Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett.

Little did Pakistan know, that they were in for another run fest quake, though of a smaller magnitude. Alex Hales thundered yet again to torment the Pakistani bowlers. His opening partner Jason Roy made it worse for the visitors as he looked in outrageous form. Much to the relief of Pakistan fans, Hales was sent back by Mohammad Amir after scoring 23 off 15 balls (5 fours).

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Joe Root was cleaned up on 9 by Hasan Ali soon after and skipper Eoin Morgan could score only 10 before being caught and bowled by Imad Wasim as England were rocked back at 92/3. Meanwhile, Roy continued to play his shots and hung in to score his second fifty of the series. He was joined by Ben Stokes at the crease.

Both Stokes and Roy rallied along as the effectiveness of Pakistani bowlers seemed to dwindle. Roy looked set for a ton but was foxed by Mohammad Amir’s slower bouncer as he found the deep square leg fielder Hasan Ali in the 28th over. The 72 run stand was broken as Roy departed after scoring 87 off 89 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes. Jonny Bairstow was the new man in. The in-form batsman, who had replaced Jos Buttler in the last game, looked in good touch yet again.

His 33 runs came off 36 balls before being dismissed by Umar Gul in the 38th over. England were 219/5 by the end of the over and the launching pad was set for the taking. Stokes brought up his half-century in the very next over and decided to up the ante straight away. He was dismissed in the 42nd over after scoring 75 off 76 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes by Hasan Ali. Wickets kept tumbling but England eventually managed to put on 302/9 on the board by the end of their 50 overs. For the visitors, Hasan Ali bagged 4 wickets and Amir scalped 3.

Pakistan had an uphill task ahead of them but this was their last attempt at redemption in this series. Skipper Azhar Ali walked in to open the innings with Sharjeel Khan. Chris Woakes made quick work of Khan and sent him packing on 10 in the 5th over to bring in Babar Azam at the crease. The arrival of Babar Azam proved to be the much-needed boost for Pakistan as he led the counter attack. Pakistan raced to 64/1 in the first 10 overs.

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Azam’s counter attack of 31 came in 29 balls ended when Mark Wood castled him in the 14th over to bring Shoaib Malik to the crease. Azhar Ali became Wood’s 2nd dismissal soon after scoring 33 off 37 balls. Malik was then joined by Sarfraz Ahmed. What followed after that was a gutsy rebuilding work by the two middle-order batsman. Both of them brought up their respective half centuries and never let the required run rate get out of reach. Sarfraz was the more attacking batsman among the two and played his shots with freedom.

They took a special liking to debutant Dawson and took him apart for 41 runs in 4 overs. However, it was Dawson who had the last laugh. He got rid of both set batsman in quick succession. He broke the 163-run stand that came off 143 balls by dismissing Sarfraz on 90 (73 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) and then sent Malik back to the pavilion on 77 (80 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes).

Mohammad Nawaz could add just 2 before being run out and Pakistan stared at a collapse being 266/6. Mohammad Rizwan (34* off 34 balls) and Imad Wasim (16* off 19 balls) then played cautiously to get Pakistan over the line with 4 wickets in hand. With that England won the series 4-1.

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What a series it was. England were exceptional with the bat and the ball. The ODI setup looked far more balanced than the Test team. After winning the first 2 matches convincingly, they entered the history books in the 3rd. Pakistan played their skins out in the final match to avoid an embarrassing whitewash.

Brief Scores:

England 302/9 in 50 overs (Roy 87, Stokes 75, Hasan Ali 4/60, Amir 3/50)

Pakistan 304/6 in 48.2 overs (Sarfraz 90, Malik 77, Wood 2/56, Dawson 2/70)