England beat Pakistan in first ODI by 44 runs on D/L method

Hosts now lead five-match series 1-0

England defeated Pakistan by 44 runs on D/L method in the first ODI of the five-match series on Wednesday.

Chasing a target of 261 to win, the hosts were 194 for three in the 35th over when the rain interrupted for the third time in the day, which eventually became the reason for the umpire to called off the game.

Eoin Morgan's men were 44 runs ahead on Duckworth Lewis method when the match was halted due to bad weather.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Azhar Ali led from the front with 82 before England fought back to hold the tourists to 260 for six in the first ODI at Southampton on Wednesday.

In a rain-interrupted innings, Sarfraz Ahmed (55) was the only other batsman to make a fifty and Pakistan's plight in this day/night clash would have been worse had Azhar not twice been dropped on nine.



Pakistan ODI captain earlier won the toss in the first of five-match series and elected to bat on a dry looking pitch.

The 31-year-old was dropped twice in his innings off 82 runs, first by Alex Hales on the bowling of Mark Wood, and then by wicket keeper Jos Buttler on the bowling of Liam Plunkett.

He and Babar Aslam (40) rebuilt the innings with a third-wicket stand of 61 after both opener Sharjeel Khan (16) and veteran Mohammad Hafeez (11) went cheaply.



After Babar departed at the score of 113, Azhar was then joined by vice-captain Sarfraz and shared 60 runs for the fourth wicket as Azhar departed on the bowling of Adil Rasheed.

The tourists' progress was checked again by a brief rain break, which stopped play with Pakistan 218 for four off 42.1 overs.

After the resumption, both Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz were caught driving to mid-off as they tried to force the pace but were eventually restricted to 260 at the end of 50 overs.

Teams

Pakistan: Azhar Ali*, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed†, Mohammad Nawaz (3), Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Umar Gul

England: AD Hales, JJ Roy, JE Root, EJG Morgan*, BA Stokes, JC Buttler†, MM Ali, CR Woakes, AU Rashid, LE Plunkett, MA Wood



And that's it for today, England officially won the first ODI of the series by 44 runs on D/L method.

The second match will be played on coming Saturday, we hope you will like to join us for the live update.



Over 35: ENG 194-3

And its raining again. So we are due for another short break, and we will update you soon.

Mohammad Nawaz to start proceedings.



So the match is about to resume and its revised playing conditions.

Bad news for every one as rain once again interrupts the play. We will come back with more updates soon.



Over 34: ENG 193-3

Another expensive over from the off-spinner which cost the team eight runs.

Malik to continue.



Over 33: ENG 185-3

Expensive over from Riaz which Pakistan 11 runs, which included five wides as well.

Wahab Riaz to continue.



Over 32: ENG 174-3

Six runs off the over.

FOUR! Morgan sweeps one through square leg region for a boundary.

Shoaib Malik is back for his second spell.



Over 31: ENG 167-3

just two off the over.

Wahab Riaz to replace Malik.



Over 30: ENG 165-3

Just three off the over, but it seems like Amir has some fittness issue to deal with and he is going off the field, which is a worrying sign for Pakistan.

Amir to continue.



Over 29: ENG 162-3

Four off Malik's over.

Shoaib Malik to try his luck against two left-handers.



Over 28: ENG 158-3

Just two runs a wicket in the over, a good one for Pakistan.

RUN OUT! Pakistan gets a price wicket of Joe Root who was run out by captain Azhar Ali after scoring 62. This is might be the opening the
Men in Green were looking for.

WICKET: Root serenely reached 61 but was run out by Azhar's direct hit. ENG 158-3 (28): https://t.co/XbFzNuRrnw https://t.co/Qh8mJjTeNK

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 24, 2016

Mohammad Amir is back for his second spell.



Over 27: ENG 156-2

Five runs off Nawaz's over.

FOUR! Full toss and Root sweeps it through between square leg and leg gully.



Nawaz to continue.



Over 26: ENG 151-2

Just four off Malik's over.

Malik to continue.



Over 25: ENG 147-2

Just one off Nawaz's fifth over.

Nawaz to continue.



Over 24: ENG 146-2

Just two off Malik's first over.

Shoaib Malik to replace Umar Gul.



Over 23: ENG 144-2

50-up for Root as he hits between square leg and leg gully for a four

Mohammad Nawaz to continue.



Over 22: ENG 137-2

Seven runs off the over.

FOUR! Late cut from Morgan earns him his first boundary.



Umar Gul to continue.



Over 21: ENG 130-2

Eight runs off the over.

FOUR! Root sweeps one through fine leg region for a boundary.



Mohammad Nawaz to continue.



Over 20: ENG 122-2

Four off the over.

Umar Gul to start his fifth over.



Over 19: ENG 118-2

Four and a wicket in Nawaz's over.

OUT! Babar Azam takes a stunners near boundary line as Roy departs.

WICKET: Babar takes a fine catch on the boundary as @jasonroy20 is out for an excellent 65 to Nawaz. ENG 118-2 (19). https://t.co/UoJ1cHfU6r

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 24, 2016

Mohammad Nawaz to continue.



Over 18: ENG 114-1

Seven runs of Gul's fourth over.

FOUR! Roy welcomes Gul with a brilliant shot through deep square leg for a stunning boundary.



Umar Gul to start his second spell.



Over 17: ENG 107-1

Seven off Nawaz's first over.

Mohammad Nawaz to replace Wahab Riaz.



Over 16: ENG 100-1

Nine runs off the over, another expensive one for Pakistan.

FOUR! Root sweeps one through leg gully region for a boundary.



Imad Wasim to continue.



Over 15: ENG 91-1

Four runs off Wahab's over.

Wahab Riaz to start his fourth over.



Over 14: ENG 87-1

Four runs off Imad over.

Imad Wasim to continue.



Over 13: ENG 83-1

Just two off the over.

Wahab Riaz to continue.



Over 12: ENG 81-1

Eight runs off Imad's third over.

SIX! Roy sweeps one over suqare leg boundary for a maximum.



Imad Wasim to continue.



Over 11: ENG 73-1

Seven off Wahab's second over as well. It's easy picking for England at the moment.

Wahab Riaz to start his second over.



Over 10: ENG 66-1

Just two off Imad's second over.

Imad Wasim to replace Muhammad Amir to start his second spell.



Over 9: ENG 64-1

Seven runs off Wahab's first over.

FOUR! Four leg-byes for England.

Wahab Riaz to replace Umar Gul.



Over 8: ENG 57-1

Another expensive over for Pakistan where 11 runs came off it.

FOUR! This time Root hits through cover for a boundary.



FOUR! Root joins the party as he hits one through extra cover for four.



Amir to continue.



Over 7: ENG 46-1

10 runs off the over, an expensive one for Pakistan.

FOUR! And Roy is making Pakistan pay for the drop. Glorious four through extra cover.



Umar Gul to start his third over.



Over 6: ENG 36-1

Six runs off the over.

DROPPED! Sarfraz dropped a tough one, but it should have been caught considering Pakistan isn't defending a huge total.

"Mine, mine." @jasonroy20 suffered what looked like a dizzy spell but he's there on 27* after this drop by Sarfraz. https://t.co/JzKkwPS1iQ

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 24, 2016

Amir to start his third over.



Over 5: ENG 30-1

Five runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Gul gets his man. Alex Hales poor form continues as he departs after scoring just 5.

WICKET: Alex Hales edges Umar Gul to slip for 7. ENG 28-1: https://t.co/XbFzNuRrnw #ENGvPAK @RL_Cricket https://t.co/f8EVWmwoPR

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 24, 2016

Umar Gul to continue.



Over 4: ENG 25-0

Just three off Amir's second over.

Amir to continue.



Over 3: ENG 22-0

Another expensive over for Pakistan, as Gul went for 12 in his first over.

FOURx2! Roy on fire as hits three boundaries of Gul's first over.



FOUR! Roy hits one through square leg for a glorious boundary.



So just one over from Imad Wasim, and Azhar turns to experienced Umar Gul, who will start third over of the innings.



Over 2: ENG 10-0

Expensive first over from Muhammad Amir, nine off it.

FOUR! This time it's Hales who hits one through covers region for a boundary.

FOUR! Jason Roy hits one through mid-wicket for first boundary of the innings



It's Muhammad Amir to start second over of the innings.



Over 1: ENG 1-0

Just one run off the first over.

So we are back and it's Imad Wasim to start for Pakistan, whereas English openers Alex Hales and Jason Roy are already in the middle.

England need 261 to go 1-0 up in the five-match series, and it is nicely poised to be a great contest.



So the teams are taking a short break, and so are we. We will be back in a while, so please join us for the second half of the innings.

Meanwhile, please enjoy these Pakistan innings highlight.

Have a look at @therealPCB's 260-6 as ENG start their chase. 50% of you think ENG will cruise it #ENGvPAK https://t.co/qlJS5HX0pJ

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 24, 2016

Over 50: PAK 260-6

Just four off the final over and a rather disappointing end to the innings which never really got going.

Plunkett to bowl the final over of the innings.



Over 49: PAK 256-6

10 runs off the over.

FOUR! Imad smashes one down the ground for a much needed boundary.

Mark Wood to bowl his last over.



Over 48: PAK 246-6

Just five off the over.

Chris Woakes to bowl his last over.



Over 47: PAK 241-6

Just five off the over.

Mark Wood to continue.



Over 46: PAK 236-6

10 runs off the over, a good one Pakistan.

FOURx2! Nawaz is turning it on for Pakistan. Back to back boundaries.



Plunkett to continue.



Over 45: PAK 226-6

OUT! Seem's like rain helped England immensely, as both set batsman departs in quick succession and in the same manner as well.



Chris Woakes to continue.



Over 44: PAK 224-5

Just four and a wicket in the over.

OUT! Shoaib Malik departs after scoring 17.



Plunkett to continue.



Over 43: PAK 220-4

Just three off the over.

And we are back.

Rain has stopped play between England and Pakistan.

Do join us for the live action in a while and the Men in Green are looking to finish big against the hosts in the opening ODI of the five-match series.



Over 42: PAK 217-4

Eight runs off Wood's over.

With the double, Sarfraz reaches his half-century. A very well composed innings.

Mark Wood to continue.



Over 41: PAK 209-4

10 runs off Woakes' over, a good one for Pakistan.

FOUR! Sarfraz hits one through deep mid-wicket region for a boundary.



Chris Woakes to continue.



Over 40: PAK 199-4

Eight runs off the over.

FOUR! Sarfraz comes down the wicket smashed one through mid-wicket region for a boundary.



Mark Wood to replace Adil Rasheed.



Over 39: PAK 191-4

Five runs off the over.

Chris Woakes to replace Liam Plunkett.



Over 38: PAK 186-4

Just five off the over.

Rasheed to continue.



Over 37: PAK 181-4

Just three off the over.

Plunkett to continue.



Over 36: PAK 178-4

Five runs and a wicket in the over.

OUT! Finally, Azhar's laboured innings of 82 comes to an end, and even after late acceleration, he departed with the strike rate of just over 74.



So apparently, former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has some advice for the captain, who is still struggling to find the middle of the bat.

Azhar shd just aim to play 50 ovrs each time. With his technique & skill it's a task within his grasp. Only gets it wrong when he over tries

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) August 24, 2016

Rasheed to continue.



Over 35: PAK 173-3

Six runs off the over.

FOUR! Azhar hits one down the ground for a boundary.



Plunkettt to continue.



Over 34: PAK 167-3

Nine runs off the over, a good one for Pakistan.

FOUR! Azhar Ali walks down the crease and lobs one over mid-off for a boundary.

Rasheed to continue.



Over 33: PAK 158-3

Seven runs off the over.

FOUR! Azhar scores his third four after completing half-century, this time through mid wicket region.

Liam Plunkett comes on to bowl in place of Moeen Ali.



Over 32: PAK 151-3

Six runs off Rasheed's over.

FOUR! Finally, Azhar shows some aggression and hits one down the ground for a four.

Rasheed to start his sixth over.



Over 31: PAK 145-3

Five runs off Ali's seventh over.

Moeen Ali to continue.



Over 30: PAK 140-3

Six runs off Rasheed over.

FOUR! Azhar sweeps one through square leg region.

Rasheed to continue.



Over 29: PAK 134-3

Just two off Ali's over.

And finally, Azhar Ali reaches his fifty in the 29th over of the innings, and after facing 84 balls. Let's hope he gets a big one for Pakistan.



Ali to continue.



Over 28: PAK 132-3

Four off Rasheed's over.

Rasheed to continue.



Over 27: PAK 128-3

Four off Ali's over again.

Moeen Ali to continue.



Over 26: PAK 124-3

Seven runs of Rasheed's over, a good one for Pakistan.

FOUR! Sarfraz gets his first boundary through deep mid wicket.



Rasheed to continue.



Over 25: PAK 117-3

Four again Ali's over.

Vice captain Sarfraz Ahmed joins his skipper in the middle.

Moeen Ali to continue.



Over 24: PAK 113-3

Five runs and a wicket in the over for Rasheed.

OUT! Adil Rahseed get his man. Babar departs after scoring 40.

WICKET: @adilrashid03 gets Babar Azam LBW for 40. PAK 119-3 (25.4): https://t.co/XbFzNuRrnw #ENGvPAK https://t.co/dwfsvYOyX8

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 24, 2016

FOUR! Babar pulls on through deep mid wicket for a boundary.



Adil Rasheed to continue.



Over 23: PAK 108-2

Four again from Moeen's Third over. It seem's like Pakistan is missing a trick here by going slow against spinners.

Moeen Ali to continue.



Over 22: PAK 104-2

Just four of Rasheed's first over.

Adil Rasheed comes on for the first time.



Over 21: PAK 100-2

Six runs off Moeen's second over.

FOUR! Down the leg side and Babar glides it for a boundary.



Moeen Ali to continue.



Over 20: PAK 94-2

Five runs off the over.

Azhar Ali is clearly struggling, and it would be a disaster for Pakistan if he gets out after consuming all these deliveries for very few runs.

Mark Wood to continue.



Over 19: PAK 89-2

Five runs off the over.

Moeen Ali comes on for the first time.



Over 18: PAK 84-2

Just two runs off the over.

Mark Wood to continue.



Over 17: PAK 82-2

12 runs off the over, and a good one for Pakistan

FOUR! Babar Azam hits one through the extra cover region for a boundary.

Joe Root to continue.



Over 16: PAK 70-2

Five runs off the over for Pakistan.

Mark Wood returns for a second spell



Over 15: PAK 65-2

FOUR! Babar receives a short ball outside off and punches it towards covers.



Joe Root again.



Over 14: PAK 57-2

Plunkett goes for two runs in his over.



Over 13: PAK 55-2

Babar Azam joins the captain in the middle.

OUT! Hafeez (11) sweeps and is caught at deep square leg. A lose shot from the man not in form.

WATCH: Is there anything @root66 can't do? Hafeez is gone for 11, caught Hales at deep square leg. PAK 55-2 #ENGvPAK https://t.co/BNzJngGPRY

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 24, 2016

Joe Root, again!

Over 12: PAK 52-1

FOUR! Another leg glance and another boundary for Azhar Ali.

Plunkett on.



Over 11: PAK 47-1

Just three runs off Root's off-spinners.

Morgan must be crazy! He has given the ball to Joe Root instead of his specialist spinner Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.



Over 10: PAK 45-1

FOUR! Short again and Hafeez goes for the same region again. Can he find his form in this ODI?

LBW appeal on Hafeez! On-field umpire says no. Third umpire upholds his decision.



FOUR! Short and pulled towards square leg by Hafeez. Classy shot!

Plunkett in for his second over.



Over 9: PAK 37-1

FOUR! Azhar goes between midwicket and mid-on to find the fence.

Woakes in for his fifth over.



Over 8: PAK 33-1

FOUR! Just a faint nudge towards fine leg. Buttler got a hand to it but couldn't web it. Another life for Azhar!

Liam Plunket introduced. Replaces Mark Wood.



Over 7: PAK 27-1

DROPPED! Azhar Ali put down by Alex Hales at Gully. He is nodding his head that he couldn't see the bowl.



Woakes runs in.



Over 6: PAK 27-1

Mohammad Hafeez joins Azhar Ali in the middle.

CAUGHT BEHIND! Sharjeel Khan (16) pulls at a short delivery and edges it to the keeper. Umpire says it out. Left-hander reviews but unsuccessfully.

WATCH: @mawood33 is too quick for Sharjeel, who edges to Buttler for 16. PAK 26-1: https://t.co/XbFzNuRrnw #ENGvPAK https://t.co/JMck3m5zLK

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 24, 2016

Mark Wood again.

Over 5: PAK 25-0

FOUR! Sharjeel not holding back. It was tad fuller and he slammed it towards midwicket for good.



Woakes in for his third. Sharjeel faces.

Over 4: PAK 18-0

Just four runs off the over.

Wood to Sharjeel now.



Over 3: PAK 14-0

FOUR! Azhar cuts it hard and the ball flies over the slips fine of the third man.

Woakes in for his second.



Over 2: PAK 8-0

FOURx2! Wood? Who wood? Sharjeel pulls one short delivery towards midwicket. Follows it up with an inside edge towards fine leg.

The bowler Pakistan should be afraid of, Mark Wood, has come on to bowl.



Over 1: PAK 0-0

Maiden over for Woakes.

Azhar Ali and Sharjeel Khan open for Pakistan as Chris Woakes comes on to bowl the first over to the captain.



Toss

Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against England in the first of the five-match ODI series.

Azhar: "Weather is good. We would like to put up a good score on the board. (Going to number 1 in Tests) is more of an inspiration."

Good luck team Pak... hopefully we get to see another match like the one against Ireland... @TheRealPCB @ICC #BleedGreen #PakvEng

— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) August 24, 2016

Good luck @AzharAli_ and co ..
Come on Team Pakistan 💪🏻#ENGvPAK

— Muhammad Wasim (@MuhammadWasim77) August 24, 2016