Statistical Highlights: Pakistan v England 3rd ODI

Azhar Ali won his first toss of the series to put Pakistan into bat, also the first time in the series. The openers performed well as compared to the previous games and added 45 runs. Pakistan were way on course for a 250-270 score at 132-2 in the 30^th over when Mohammad Hafeez top-edged David Willey to Joe Root at square leg. Scenarios then just changed for Pakistan as they were reduced to 161-8 in the 42^nd over. Wahab Riaz struck three sixes from no. 9 to take Pakistan to a more respectable total of 208.

England lost Jason Roy and Joe Root very early in the chase but first Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan and later, James Taylor and Jos Butler partnered to take England home to a comfortable 6 wicket win. The former pair added 117* for the fifth wicket to seal the game which once or twice looked a 50-50 affair. James Taylor was adjudged Man of the Match for his not out 67. England leads the 4-match series 2-1.

Here are the statical highlights from today’s game:

• The Debut – Zafar Gohar is the 208^th player to represent Pakistan in ODIs.

• The Year of Debuts – Zafar Gohar is the ninth Pakistani to make an ODI debut this year. Pakistan also handed 9 debuts in 2011 and 12 in 2008.

• Wahab the perfect no. 9 – Wahab Riaz has added 30+ more times batting at no. 9 than anyone else from Pakistan (equaling Wasim Akram).

• Joe ‘Consistent’ Root – Joe Root (2008 runs in 2015) has become the third English player to score 2000 international runs in a calendar year. Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen both achieved this feat in 2007.

• A Good All-round Debut – Zafar Gohar is only the 9^th Pakistani to score atleast 15 runs with the bat and take atleast 2 wickets on his career debut.

• 150 – Shoaib Malik is the 12^th Pakistani and 67^th overall to take 150 ODI wickets.

• All-round Malik – Shoaib Malik is only the 2nd Pakistani after Shahid Afridi and 7^th cricketer in the world to complete a double of 6000 runs and 150 wickets.

• Partnership the ‘Key’ – Whenever England has added 100 runs for the 5^th wicket in a run-chase they have come out victorious.

• 200 of Hundreds – The partnership between James Taylor and Jos Butler was England’s 200^th century partnership in ODIs, 7^th team to achieve as many. New Zealand, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are the only test playing nations to not do this.

• Home Ground Advantage? – Pakistan has lost seven of its last 10 games in its adopted home UAE.

• A Difficult Opposition – Pakistan has now lost 7 of its last eight ODIs against England.