England extend lead to 4-0 against Pakistan in five-match ODI series

LEEDS: England extended their lead to 4-0 against Pakistan in five match series with a comfortable win by four wickets at Headingley, Leeds on Thursday.

Chasing a target of 248, England – after some early hiccups – recovered to reach the target for the loss of six wickets in 48 overs. Thanks to Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, who led England’s chase after not-so-good start.

England couldn’t get the start it wanted in the chase of 248 target and it lost four wickets with only 72 runs on board.

Mohammad Irfan gave Pakistan early breakthroughs by removing Jason Roy (14) and Alex Hales (8) with only 36 runs on the board in 6.4 overs.

Joe Root looked aggressive but he was removed by Hassan Ali after scoring 30 of 26 deliveries. Root’s wicket was followed by Eoin Morgan who was caught by Sharjeel Khan off Umar Gul’s delivery after scoring 11.

With England four wickets down for only 72 runs on board in 14.3 overs, Pakistan looked in command for the first time in series. But, not for long.

Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow added 103 runs for the fifth wicket to keep England in hunt. Stokes, who was dropped by Rizwan when on 34, scored crucial 69 off 70 deliveries.

Bairstow was run out after scoring 61 off 83 deliveries, providing England a platform to reach the target comfortably.

Moin Ali smashed Azhar Ali for six on the last ball of 48th over to complete England’s chase. Moin smashed two sixes and one boundary to score 45 off 48 deliveries.

Earlier, Azhar Ali won the toss and opted to bat first, but Pakistan had to face the similar story as of three previous games.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, however Azhar Ali scored 80 off 104 deliveries to provide Pakistan a chance to keep on sailing.

Young all-rounder Imad Wasim smashed seven boundaries and a six towards the end of the innings to help Pakistan post a respectable 247 for 8 in fifty overs.

Imad scored a brilliant unbeaten 57 off 41 deliveries, his second consecutive fifty in the series, to prove his mettle as a mature all-rounder.

For England, Adil Rashid got three wickets, while Jordan and Moeen Ali got two apiece.

With England leading the five match series 4-0, both the teams are now heading to Cardiff for the fifth and final ODI at Sophia Gardens on Sunday.