Pakistan's Youngsters Sink England in Rawalpindi
Pakistan made it two wins from two in the home ODI tri-series on Tuesday, dismantling England by 87 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Put in to bat — England won the toss and elected to bowl, according to Sportradar's live scorecard — Pakistan posted 302 for 9 in 50 overs before their bowlers, led by a sensational Arafat Minhas, dismissed England for 215 in 38.4 overs.
The result puts Pakistan within touching distance of the final. England face a must-win clash with Sri Lanka on Thursday, also in Rawalpindi, to keep their final hopes alive.
Minhas Turns the Game on Its Head
Arafat Minhas produced the defining all-round performance of the series so far. Coming to the crease with Pakistan in deep trouble, the young all-rounder struck a maiden ODI half-century — 59 off 58 balls with nine boundaries — before ripping through England's middle and lower order with his left-arm spin.
Minhas finished with 6 for 40, a career-best return and his second five-wicket haul, and even ran out the last England batter to complete a superb individual display. He was duly named Player of the Match.
His key strikes broke the chase: Banton caught off a miscued pull, captain Harry Brook bowled for five, Jordan Cox trapped for 18 — then Will Jacks for 19 and Jamie Overton for one to complete his second five-wicket haul.
Nawaz Rescues Pakistan From 133-5
Pakistan's innings had started disastrously. Gus Atkinson struck with the very first ball of the match to dismiss Fakhar Zaman, caught by Joe Root at short mid-wicket, and Sonny Baker reduced the hosts to 31 for 2 by removing Saim Ayub for eight. Babar Azam (34) and Saad Baig (35) steadied things briefly before Pakistan slumped to 133 for 5.
That's when Hasan Nawaz took charge. The batter struck a 74-ball 79 — including five fours and four sixes — to top-score for Pakistan, adding 78 for the sixth wicket with Minhas. England's fielders compounded the damage by dropping three catches. Minhas then added 72 for the seventh wicket with Faheem Ashraf, whose brisk 39 off 26 balls helped Pakistan pile on 91 runs in the last 10 overs. Baker finished with 3 for 65 for England, while Atkinson returned 2 for 35.
England's Chase Falls Apart After Bright Start
England began their pursuit of 303 with real intent. Tom Banton smashed five fours and two sixes in a 53-ball 57, and Ben Duckett contributed 45 — but once Duckett fell, the innings unravelled: England lost their last nine wickets for 95 runs after being well set at 120 for 1. Brook managed only five before Minhas bowled him; Naseem Shah snared Joe Root for 33, and Haris Rauf removed Sam Curran for 27 as the chase fell apart.
Captains React
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was pleased with his young side's progress as they build towards next year's World Cup. "As a team we have shown progress as we are looking to build towards next year's World Cup," Shaheen said. "The form of Arafat and the fast bowlers are good signs for us."
England captain Brook, by contrast, rued his side's inability to build partnerships. "We were quite happy by limiting them under 300 and then the openers set the tone beautifully, but we could not put on partnerships and ended up on the wrong side," he said.
Why It Matters
This was more than a routine bilateral win. Pakistan's tri-series campaign doubles as an audition for next year's World Cup, and Tuesday's victory was delivered by the young core — Nawaz, Minhas and Ashraf all stepped up when the senior batters faltered. For England, a collapse of nine wickets for 95 runs from 120 for 1 points to a middle order with serious questions to answer before Thursday's must-win game.
What Happens Next
England meet Sri Lanka in the third tri-series match on Thursday in Rawalpindi — a game England must win to stay in contention for the final. Pakistan, with two wins from two, can seal a final berth with another victory, having already beaten Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the tournament opener.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan beat England by 87 runs in Rawalpindi: 302/9 (50 overs) vs 215 all out (38.4 overs).
- Arafat Minhas starred with a maiden ODI fifty (59 off 58) and career-best 6/40, and was named Player of the Match.
- Hasan Nawaz top-scored with 79 off 74 balls, rescuing Pakistan from 133/5 alongside Minhas.
- England collapsed from 120/1 to 215 all out, losing their last nine wickets for 95 runs.
- Pakistan have two wins from two; England must beat Sri Lanka on Thursday to reach the final.
FAQs
Who won the Pakistan vs England 2nd ODI?
Pakistan won by 87 runs in Rawalpindi on October 20, 2026 — 302 for 9 in 50 overs, then England all out for 215 in 38.4 overs — in the second match of the home ODI tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Arafat Minhas, for his all-round display — a maiden ODI half-century (59 off 58) and career-best 6 for 40, his second five-wicket haul — capped by running out the last England batter to seal the 87-run victory.
How did Pakistan recover from 133/5?
Hasan Nawaz (79 off 74) and Arafat Minhas (59 off 58) added 78 for the sixth wicket, then Minhas and Faheem Ashraf (39 off 26) put on 72 for the seventh. Pakistan scored 91 runs in the last 10 overs, helped by three dropped catches.
What does this result mean for the tri-series?
Pakistan have won both their matches and are close to sealing a place in the final. England, with one defeat, must beat Sri Lanka in the third match on Thursday in Rawalpindi to keep their final hopes alive.
Who top-scored for England?
Tom Banton top-scored with 57 off 53 balls, including five fours and two sixes. Ben Duckett made 45, but once the openers fell, England lost their last nine wickets for just 95 runs and were dismissed for 215.
When is the next match in the tri-series?
England meet Sri Lanka in the third match on Thursday, also at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. England must win to keep their final hopes alive; Pakistan had beaten Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the tournament opener.
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Sources
- Agence France-Presse, "All-rounder Minhas stars as Pakistan crush England in tri-series", Khaleej Times, October 20, 2026.
- Rediff Cricket, "ODI tri-series result: Minhas delivers all-round masterclass to power Pakistan to dominant win over England", Rediff.com, October 20, 2026.
By GlobalDeskNews Staff