SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom: England defeated Pakistan in the first One Day International (ODI) of the five-match series at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday.
The rain-interrupted match could not reach its proper ending and England were declared by 44 runs on Duckworth–Lewis (D/L) method.
While batting first, Pakistan scored 260 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in stipulated 50 overs. In reply, England were on 194 for 3 when rain interrupted. The match could not resume and eventually England won the match by 44 runs on D/L method.
England’s Joe Root was awarded man of the match.
The second ODI between Pakistan and England will be played at Lords on Saturday (August 27).
It has been 10 days since the Investec Test series ended with 2-2 which helped Pakistan to become World No 1 Test team in ICC rankings.
In the meantime, Pakistan were involved in two-match ODI series against Ireland. Pakistan secured a thumping 255 runs victory in the first ODI while the second match was abandoned due to rain.
In Comparison, England have been the better ODI side recently than Pakistan as not only Home team possess a better position in ICC ODI rankings (5th vs 9th) but also since 2005, Pakistan failed to win a single ODI series against England.
In last nine ODIs between the two teams, England emerged victorious in eight matches, showing how much dominant they have been over Pakistan in last decade.
But yet Pakistan are desperate to beat England this time in a bid to improve their ODI rankings for direct qualification for 2019 World Cup.
Both teams have different Captains for ODI series as Azhar Ali will replace Misbah-ul-Haq and Eoin Morgan will replace Alastair Cook as skippers.
Pakistan first ODI squad
Sharjeel Khan, Azhar Ali (Captain), Muhammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (Wicket Keeper), Imad Wasim, Muhammad Nawaz, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Muhammad Amir
England first ODI squad
Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (Captain), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (Wicket Keeper), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood
Pakistan vs. England Series 2016 #PakvsEng #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/9S3pR6BvmX
— PTV Sports Official (@PTVSp0rts) August 19, 2016
