Jos Buttler's record-breaking century helped-England beat Pakistan by 84 runs and clinch the 4-match one-day international series by 3-1.
Captain Eoin Morgan opted to bat first after winning the toss at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. England were unchanged and Pakistan brought Ahmed Shehzad and Yasir Shah back in the team.
Jason Roy and Alex Hales gave England a dream start in the series decider as both were off to a flier. They both shared a 54-run stand before Hales departed. Mohammad Irfan got the important wicket for Pakistan as England lost Hales after a good start.
In-form Joe Root was the new batsman in and he didn't disappoint the visitors on the big day. Root made sure when runs were not coming through boundaries, rotating the strike will ease off the pressure.
Roy responded well and soon cracked his 4 ODI fifty and the foundation was laid by the opener to get a big total. Root soon became the first international wicket of Pakistan's skipper Azhar Ali. He was dismissed and the long-standing 140 runs partnership was broken.
The opener continued to play his natural strokeplay as he got to his maiden ton. The platform was set for the English team and swashbuckling Buttler was the new batsman on the crease after Root's departure.
Then started the roller coaster ride where wicket-keeper batsman Buttler took Pakistan for a ride. He put a full stop to his run drought by bringing his first ODI fifty in 9 matches. After the fifty came the next fifty in this manner 0, 4, 2, 4, 6, 6, 4, 1, 4, 2, 1, 0, 6, 2, 6, 6, 5wd, 0, 0nb, 4, 4, 2, 2.
Yes, it was the best thriller innings of the series which broke many records and successfully managed to put England on the driver's seat. Buttler broke his own record by scoring a 46-ball hundred which also became the fastest in the England's history.
He brought his 6th century in some style and Pakistan were demolished by his storm. England posted 355 with the loss of 5 wickets in their quota of 50 overs. Pakistan responded by 271 runs as they were bowled out in 40.4 overs. Azhar got the home team a good start as he scored a quick-fire knock of 44 runs in 32 balls.
Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik got half-centuries, but no one could stay till the end lead the fight back for Pakistan. Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid picked 3 wickets each and successfully demolished Pakistan's home fortress.
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