1st ODI: Saqib Mahmood 4-wicket haul helps England hammer Pakistan by 9 wickets in Cardiff

A second-string England facet proved too good for Babar Azam’s Pakistan within the first of a 3-match ODI collection at Sophia Gardens on Thursday. Playing underneath first-time captain Ben Stokes, the hosts hammered the vacationers by 9 wickets, gunning down a paltry 142-run goal in simply 21.5 overs.

England handed debuts to as many as 5 gamers as they have been left to scramble a totally new squad on Tuesday, a day after 7 members of its first-choice limited-overs squad examined optimistic for Covid-19. The relaxation additionally had to enter isolation because the ECB did not wish to take any dangers and hint contacts.Players have been pulled from the County Championship, and former gamers and rested gamers recalled. Debuts got to opener Phil Salt, first drop batsman Zak Crawley, wicketkeeper John Simpson and allrounder Lewis Gregory within the center order, and quick bowler Brydon Carse.England vs Pakistan, 1st ODI: HighlightsHowever, Stokes’s facet got here up with a dominant efficiency towards Pakistan who will play 3 ODIs and as many T20Is within the UK. It was Stokes who gained the toss and opted to discipline on a vibrant morning in Cardiff.Right-arm quick bowler Saqib Mahmood, enjoying solely his fifth ODI, jolted Pakistan early, eradicating opener Imam-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam for 0 within the first 3 balls of the match. Pakistan have been by no means actually in a position to recuperate from the early jolt.Fakhar Zaman wages lone battle for PakistanIn-form Fakhar Zaman, who had hit two tons of in South Africa earlier this 12 months, hit 47 however he didn’t discover any assist from the top-order. Lewis Gregory, who opened the bowling with Mahmood, obtained the large wicket of wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan (13) following which Mahmood eliminated debutant Saud Shakeel for five.Shoaib Maqsood was run out after a mix-up with Fakhar after which Pakistan misplaced the left-handed opener for 48 runs. Pakistan have been decreased to 90 for six however all-rounder Shadab Khan’s helpful 30 helped them put up 141 in 35.2 overs.Dawid Malan, Zak Crawly hit fiftiesIn reply, England misplaced debutant opener Philip Salt for 7 as early because the fifth over when he tried to drive a full supply from left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi.However, World No. 1 T20I batsman Dawid Malan and Test common Zak Crawley hit fifties to verify England cruised to the goal in simply 21.5 overs. The pair added 120 runs for the 2nd wicket to dominate the Pakistan bowling assault.Babar Azam used as many as 6 bowlers however none of them have been in a position to make a powerful impression.The guests will subsequent face England within the 2nd ODI at Lord’s, London on July 10 earlier than going through a visit to Birmingham for the collection finale on July 13.