2nd ODI: Hales leads England to win over Pakistan

English team triumph by 95 runs; level four-match series 1-1

ABU DHABI: Alex Hales smashed a maiden hundred and Chris Woakes ended his wicket drought with four victims as England trounced Pakistan by 95 runs to win the second One-Day International on Friday.

Hales's 109 was the cornerstone of England's challenging 283-5 before Woakes - wicketless in his last six games - took 4-33 to help dismiss Pakistan for 188 in 45.5 overs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

The victory levelled the four-match series at 1-1 after Pakistan won the first game by six wickets - also in Abu Dhabi - on Wednesday.

Pakistan were out of the hunt after losing half their side for 50 in the 19th over as Woakes, wicketless in his last six matches, ripped through the middle-order.

But it was David Willey who removed opener Babar Azam (four) and first match centurion Mohammad Hafeez (nought) in his first three overs before finishing with 3-25.

Woakes had debutant Iftikhar Ahmed caught for five, Shoaib Malik (13) caught off a miscued pull and then had skipper Azhar Ali bowled after a laborious 45-ball 22.

Sarfraz, who top-scored with 64, added 30 with Mohammad Rizwan (17) for the sixth wicket and 65 for the seventh wicket with Anwar (23) but it only delayed Pakistan's defeat.

Sarfraz fought a lone battle, hitting three boundaries during his 76-ball knock before falling to Woakes in the 45th over.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2015.