Hasan Ali collected his fourth five-wicket haul in his 56th match but his sublime efforts went in vain following below par top-order batting display that helped England beat Pakistan by 52 runs in the second One-Day International at Lord’s on Saturday.
England have now gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series following their nine-wicket victory in the first match played in Cardiff on Thursday.
Hasan bounced back strongly after conceding 28 runs off his first four overs to find a place at Lord’s honours board by ending up with figures of five for 51. His efforts enabled Pakistan to limit England from 118 for two in the 18th over to 247 all out in 45.2 overs in the match reduced to 47 over per side due to a rain delay before the start of the match.
In Pakistan’s run-chase, Imam-ul-Haq (one, caught at the wicket), Babar Azam (19, trapped in front of the wickets) and Mohammad Rizwan (five, caught at the wicket) returned to the hut in the first Power Play for the second successive time in the series. And when Fakhar Zaman’s 45-ball 10 was ended by Craig Overton, Pakistan were looking down the barrel at 53 for four.
Sohaib Maqsood hit a couple of towering sixes but his demise off a miscued shot dropped Pakistan further behind in the match at 86 for five. Saud Shakeel, former Pakistan Shaheens’ captain and playing only his second match, top-scored for the visitors with his maiden half-century.
The left-handed Saud fought a lone battle and ended up as a top-scorer with a gritty 56 (4×4), while Hasan Ali entertained an almost full house by clubbing three sixes and two fours in a 17-ball 31. Shadab Khan chipped in with a 20-ball 21.
Earlier, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi justified Babar’s decision to bowl first in overcast conditions by dismissing Dawid Malan and Zak Crawley, respectively to leave England reeling at 21 for two in the fifth over. England could have been three down had Imam held on to a difficult catch at backward-point offered by Phil Salt off Shaheen.
But then, Pakistan bowlers lost their way and were severely punished for bowling short by Salt and James Vince, who stitched a 97-run third wicket partnership off 80 balls. The dangerous looking stand was broken by Saud, who bowled Salt (60, 54b, 10×4) round his legs, this was Saud’s maiden wicket in ODIs.
Sixteen runs later, Shadab bowled Vince (56, 52b, 8×4) on a wrong-un as England slipped to 134 for four.
At that stage, Babar played a masterstroke when he introduced Hasan Ali into the attack, who justified his captain’s faith in him by dismissing Ben Stokes (22), John Simpson (17) and Craig Overton (0) in quick time to leave England in deep trouble at 160 for seven.
However, Hasan failed to receive the required support from the other end as Lewis Gregory (40, 47b, 4×4) and Brydon Carse (31, 41b, 2×4) were able to add 69 runs for the eighth-wicket to pull England out of some bother.
With England slipping to 229 for eight in the 41st over, the last two wickets contributed 18 priceless runs as the hosts recovered to finish at 247 in 45.2 overs. It was appropriate that the England innings was ended by Hasan, who finished with a five-fer, to achieve a rare distinction at the most prized ground in the world.
Although it was a disappointing result for Pakistan, who had lost the series opener by nine wickets in Cardiff, Lord’s trip was something to remember for Hasan and Saud.
Hasan Ali’s 9.2-0-51-5 was his best performance against England as he also became only the second bowler after Trent Boult to take five or more wickets in ODIs four times in the past five years.
When Stokes’ off stump was sent on a walk in his 100th ODI, it was also the fifth time the acting England captain was dismissed by Hasan Ali.
The third ODI will be played on Tuesday at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Scores in brief:
England beat Pakistan by 52 runs
England 247 all out, 45.2 overs (Phil Salt 60, James Vince 56, Lewis Gregory 40, Brydon Carse 31, Ben Stokes 22; Hasan Ali 5-51, Haris Rauf 2-54)
Pakistan 195 all out, 41 overs (Saud Shakeel 56, Hasan Ali 31, Shadab Khan 21; Lewis Gregory 3-44, Saqib Mahmood 2-21)
Player of the match: Lewis Gregory
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