Pakistan secured a commanding 87-run victory over England in the second match of the ODI Tri-Series held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 20, 2026. This win marks Pakistan's second consecutive triumph in the series, solidifying their position at the top of the standings.
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, Pakistan faced early setbacks, finding themselves at 81 for four. However, a resilient middle-order performance turned the tide. Hasan Nawaz led the charge with a brisk 79 off 74 balls, while Arafat Minhas contributed a crucial 59 from 58 deliveries. Faheem Ashraf's quickfire 39 off 26 balls further bolstered the total, guiding Pakistan to a competitive 302 for nine in their allotted 50 overs. England's bowling attack saw Sonny Baker claim three wickets for 65 runs, with Gus Atkinson adding two for 35.
In response, England's innings began promisingly with an opening partnership of 91 runs between Ben Duckett (45 off 46 balls) and Tom Banton (57 off 53 balls). Despite this strong start, the team struggled to maintain momentum. Arafat Minhas emerged as the standout bowler, delivering a career-best performance of six wickets for 40 runs in 8.4 overs. His exceptional bowling dismantled England's batting lineup, leading to their dismissal for 215 in 38.4 overs. Haris Rauf also made significant contributions, taking two wickets for 32 runs.
England's captain, Harry Brook, acknowledged the team's shortcomings, particularly their inability to build on the solid foundation laid by the openers. He emphasized the need for the middle order to capitalize on such starts to secure victories in future matches.
With this win, Pakistan has strengthened its position in the tri-series, having previously defeated Sri Lanka. The team will look to maintain their winning streak as the series progresses, while England aims to regroup and address the issues that led to their batting collapse.
Sources: CricReads, Rediff Cricket, The Guardian, Sky Sports