Crushing defeat: Pakistan crumble before England’s record ODI total

England take unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series

NOTTINGHAM: Pakistan crashed to a 169-run defeat in the third One Day International against England who had earlier amassed a world record total of 444 runs.

The loss also means England take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.

Earlier, English batsmen Alex Hales and Jos Butler ran riot at a sun-kissed Trent Bridge on Tuesday taking England to 444 for three. Hales plundered 171, the highest individual limited-overs score by an England batsman, flaying four sixes and 22 fours in his 122-ball knock before Butler hammered six sixes and three fours to get to his half-century off 22 deliveries, another record for his country.

The hosts passed their previous highest total of 408 for nine, made against New Zealand last year, while captain Morgan got to his half-century off 24 deliveries. The total meant they overtook Sri Lanka’s record of 443 for nine against Netherlands in July 2006.

Among the bowlers, Wahab Riaz was the main victim bleeding 110 runs in his 10-over spell.

With a daunting total, Pakistan could not take the pressure and were down to 83 for three by the 10th over. Mohammad Nawaz and Sarfraz Ahmed attempted to stabilise the Pakistani innings but could not stop the fall of wickets which soon saw Pakistan reduced to 199 for 9 with Woakes the chief destroyer picking up four wickets.

Only a fighting rearguard from bowlers Mohammad Amir and Yasir Shah prevented an embarrassing scoreline for Pakistan. Amir smashed 58 off just 28 balls, with his half century coming as quickly as Butler’s.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2016.