Alex Hales' maiden ODI century helps England level the series

Alex Hales scored his first ODI century to sink Pakistan

England earned their first win of the ODI series against Pakistan in their tour of United Arab Emirates. After falling down to the Asian giants in the first match, they came back strong and won the second ODI by 95 runs. England fielded the same XI as the last match, whereas for Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan replaced Bilal Asif and Iftikhar Ahmed was handed his debut.

The Three Lions won the toss and chose to bat first in Abu Dhabi. They could not have dreamed of a better start as the opening pair of Roy and Hales went on to make a 102 runs partnership. The former fell to Wahab Riaz in the 18th over after scoring 54 runs.

Joe Root was the next to walk in and he continued to build up to the great start. Along with Hales, he constructed a partnership worth 114 runs.

The towering England opener completed his maiden ODI century in the 37th over. He scored a six of Iftikhar Ahmed’s ball but got out on the subsequent delivery after amassing 109 runs in 117 balls.

England’s run rate saw a substantial dip after the loss of Hales’ wicket, Root completed his fifty in the 40th over but failed to up the ante. The score once looked as if it will cross the 300-mark, but the following English batsmen did not do good and the Three Lions scored a total 283 runs.

Pakistan’s death bowling must be credited as well with Wahab being the pick of the lot with three wickets and 43 runs in his quota of 10 overs.

Pakistan was expected to give England back a fight, especially Mohammad Hafeez who looked in sublime form during the last ODI where he scored a hundred.

David Willey attacked the Pakistani batting from the word go, he caught Babar Azam leg before in the third over with a beautiful in-swinging delivery. Then he took the all-important wicket of Hafeez in his next over.

Pakistani innings fell off and they were down to 80 for 6 in no time. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Anwar Ali added 65 runs to the total before the latter lost his wicket.

The wicketkeeper-batsman was the only one who showed some resistance. He managed 64 runs in the 97 minutes he was on the pitch. He was the penultimate wicket to fall as Pakistan was bundled out for 188.

Chris Woakes picked up four wickets and Willey bagged three. Yasir Shah was the only unbeaten batsman for Pakistan.

This result means that England have now levelled with Pakistan in the series with one win apiece.