Pakistan unsettled England’s status among the favourites to win the 2019 World Cup with a 14-run victory in Monday’s fixture at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
- Reigning Champions Trophy title holders outdo tournament favourites
- England lose despite Root and Buttler tons
- Hosts almost achieved highest ever successful ODI pursuit
The result marked the end of a 12-ODI losing streak for Pakistan – and a significant improvement after last week’s heavy seven-wicket defeat to the West Indies at the same venue.
The English needed to achieve the highest target in the 44-year history of the World Cup, but only managed 334 for nine instead of 349, despite centuries from Test captain Joe Root and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler.
Trent Bridge was the scene of the two highest totals in ODI competition – England’s 481 for six against Australia in 2018 and 444 for three versus Pakistan in 2016.
England were also involved in the previous highest successful pursuit in World Cup cricket, when Ireland overcame a 328-run target in Bengaluru during the 2011 World Cup.
Monday yielded a fine contest between the reigning Champions Trophy title holders and an England unit in pursuit of a maiden World Cup title.
Half-centuries from the trio of Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Hafeez pushed Pakistan to 348 for eight, after which Root and Buttler spearheaded England’s dominance with the bat. Root’s 107 is the first century of this World Cup, after six matches, while Buttler welcomed 103 at a venue that brought a duck against the same opposition – in the same format – less than three weeks ago. Buttler’s ton from 75 deliveries is the fastest by an Englishman in World Cup cricket.
Spearheaded by seam duo Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, who were late additions to the squad, Pakistan successfully limited an England XI lined with lower-order all-rounders after Root and Buttler fell. Both centurions were guilty of perishing shortly after reaching three figures.
Sunday saw South Africa lose to Bangladesh at The Oval in London. Tuesday will see Afghanistan play Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales.
Photo: Getty Images
