LONDON, (Reuters) – Andrew Strauss delivered the perfect riposte to those questioning his place in England’s one-day team with a polished 126 to help his side to a four-wicket win over Pakistan in Leeds yesterday.
After Pakistan, hopeless in the Twenty/20 internationals, had scored a testing 294 for eight, England were always close to their near six an over target as they moved 2-0 up in the five-match series.
Captain Strauss was the backbone and though it proved a nervous finale after the opener departed with 47 runs still needed, Michael Yardy and Tim Bresnan brought England home with three balls to spare.
Despite the defeat Pakistan will have been pleased with their display, not least in the field where they were much improved.
They also produced one of their best batting displays of their long tour of England after winning the toss on a rare sunny morning in Leeds.
Kamran Akmal (74) and Mohammad Hafeez (43) built an opening stand of 122 in 23 overs with Akmal in particular punishing some loose England bowling with a slew of boundaries.
The assault was maintained by Mohammad Yousuf (46) and Asad Shafi, a late call-up for the tour who hit 50 from 57 balls, including one mighty straight six off spinner Graeme Swann, as England did not help their own cause with some poor fielding.
England set about the chase confidently and opener Steven Davis, who hit 87 in the first match of the series, started powerfully again with 26 off 21 balls before being caught behind off Shoaib Akhtar.
SCOREBOARD
England won by four wickets
Pakistan innings
Kamran Akmal lbw b Collingwood 74
Mohammad Hafeez b Swann 43
Mohammad Yousuf c Davies b Broad 46
Asad Shafiq c Bopara b Broad 50
Umar Akmal c Davies b Broad 28
Shahid Afridi c Strauss b Anderson 9
Fawad Alam not out 20
Umar Gul b Bresnan 3
Saeed Ajmal c Strauss b Broad 4
Shoaib Akhtar not out 0
Extras (lb 12, w 5) 17
Total (eight wickets; 50 overs) 294
Did not bat: Mohammad Irfan
Fall of wickets: 1-122 2-137 3-211 4-246 5-258 6-278 7-284 8-289
Bowling: Bresnan 9-0-53-1 (1w), Anderson 10-1-36-1 (3w), Broad 10-0-81-4, Yardy 6-0-43-0, Swann 10-0-43-1 (1w), Collingwood 5-0-26-1
England innings
A. Strauss lbw b Ajmal 126
S. Davies c K. Akmal b Akhtar 26
J. Trott run out 53
P. Collingwood c sub b Afridi 19
E. Morgan c Hafeez b Gul 16
R. Bopara c Hafeez b Ajmal 16
M. Yardy not out 13
T. Bresnan not out 10
Extras (lb-3, w-13) 16
Total (six wickets; 49.3 overs) 295
Did not bat: G. Swann, S. Broad, J. Anderson
Fall of wickets: 1-43 2-189 3-220 4-248 5-260 6-282
Bowling: Akhtar 8-0-49-1 (1w), Irfan 7-0-40-0 (1w), Gul 9.3-0-59-1 (3w), Ajmal 10-0-52-2 (2w), Afridi 9-0-59-1 (1w), Hafeez 6-0-33-0
Remaining matches:
Sept. 17, Oval, London Sept. 20, Lord’s, London
Sept. 22, Rose Bowl, Southampton
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