Ali Martin's report
All England’s bowlers did well. Nobody was expensive, and Matt Parkinson, Craig Overton and Lewis Gregory played useful supporting roles to Mahmood. Ben Stokes found captaincy easier than when he tried it in a Test, starting a year ago today. James Vince pulled off a very sharp run-out, and the poor old Pakistanis never got going apart from Fakhar Zaman, who stroked six fours.
When England batted, only Phil Salt missed out, going too hard outside off stump. Dawid Malan played the way he so often does in the T20 side, with effortless fluency, and Zak Crawley, who blows hot and cold, was on fire, just like when he raced to 50 as wickets fell around him in Ahmedabad. In between those two scintillating fifties, his England scores were 0, 9, 5, 2, 2, 0 and 17. At times, it’s an unfunny game.
We have an email! “Pakistan started as the clear favourites in this series with their, umm, wealth of experience,” says Abhijato Sensarma. “But England put together a squad of quirky outsiders, wise veterans and exuberant youngsters in as unlikely a team-up as you’ll ever see. Now that they’ve won the opening salvo, I have to ask – is this an ODI match or the first act of a slow-burning heist movie?” Ha.
Thanks for your company and we’ll be back at 10.30am on Saturday to see if this was a fluke or England really do have ridiculous reserves of white-ball wizardry.
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The Player of the Match is ... Saqib Mahmood. “As a team you always want to win games,” he says. “Getting early wickets means you can set more attacking fields.” Oh well, he made the ball talk.
“Very clinical performance,” says Ben Stokes. “Not every game of cricket will go that smoothly for us.” What was his message to his team? “Not much really. Don’t change for the occasion, just go out and enjoy the situation we find ourselves in.”
The day belongs to Saqib Mahmood
The game was won and lost in Pakistan’s innings, which started badly and didn’t get much better. The laurels go to Saqib Mahmood, who used his PSL experience to spear through the top order in his opening spell. He will surely be the Player of the Match, commanding though Malan and Crawley were as they knocked off the runs.
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ENGLAND WIN!! By nine wickets
Crawley goes back, eases into the covers, takes a single... and that is that. England win by nine wickets with 169 balls to spare. It’s been a hopeless contest but a resounding victory for Understudies United.
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21st over: England 139-1 (Malan 67, Crawley 56) Crawley’s facing Shadab and his eyes light up as a full ball approaches, but he mistimes it and only gets a single to mid-on, so England still need three to win.
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20th over: England 133-1 (Malan 65, Crawley 52) Five singles off Faheem, but Crawley is just waiting for a wide one and when it comes, he slaps it through backward point to reach a very classy fifty on his ODI debut.
19th over: England 124-1 (Malan 62, Crawley 46) Show Zak Crawley a Pakistan leg-spinner and he will show you a phenomenal ability to pick up the length. Shadab Khan, like Yasir Shah last summer, drops a touch short and finds himself whipped for four as Crawley stands tall and doesn’t so much hit the ball as fire it past mid-on. That’s a handsome way to bring up the hundred partnership.
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18th over: England 115-1 (Malan 59, Crawley 40) Faheem returns, only to find that Malan is suddenly himself again, driving through the covers with the greatest of ease. In the crowd, a girl of about ten holds up a sign saying, “Don’t tell my teacher I’m here.” England could have picked her and still won this match.
17th over: England 107-1 (Malan 53, Crawley 39) So, a couple of moral victories for Shadab, but he’s been brought on too late to make a difference. England need only 35: it’s not even worth putting in bold now.
Fifty to Malan!
After playing his first false shot for ages, Malan produces an even worse one – a reverse sweep that gets a bottom edge, nutmegs poor old Rizwan and and dribbles away for four. Until the last two minutes, it’s been a very fine fifty.
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Not out!
Missed it by miles. That’s a terrible review, led by Rizwan, who must have heard a flick of bat on pad.
Review! Malan not given caught behind
Off the first ball of spin in this innings, a flipper from Shadab Khan.
16th over: England 100-1 (Malan 46, Crawley 39) Malan brings up the hundred with another of his crisp pushes. On Sky, Nasser Hussain is talking about the pitch, which has offered something for everyone: pace and bounce for all the bowlers, including Matt Parkinson; movement for the seamers; and the ball coming on nicely for the batters. The stage was set for an excellent contest, which is just what we haven’t seen.
“Surely,” says EconSam on Twitter, “Gloucestershire taking six wickets for 14 runs in the first hour after tea to win a crucial County Championship match this afternoon deserves a mention on the live feed?!” Your wish is my command.
15th over: England 93-1 (Malan 43, Crawley 37) A few more singles and that’s drinks. You hesitate to say this about any England batsmen, but these two seem to be in complete control. And it feels as if they could be doing it at Brisbane in December as well as Cardiff in July. England need 49, at less than 1.5 an over. It’s not, as yet, a cliffhanger.
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14th over: England 90-1 (Malan 41, Crawley 36) Rauf bowls a good over but these two have got their eye in, and the field is spread, so they can pick up singles by just dropping the ball at their feet.
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13th over: England 83-1 (Malan 37, Crawley 32) Malan, after a quiet couple of overs, makes some noise again by going back to Faheem and just deflecting him for four past square leg. After the footballers made the nation suffer for its thrills, the third-choice cricketers are going for a walk in the park. England need 59.
12th over: England 76-1 (Malan 32, Crawley 31) Crawley plays another dreamy stroke, the sweetest of pushes to the midwicket boundary, to bring up the 50 partnership off 45 balls. And then he follows it with a block-cut for four more, as if he was playing in his dad’s garden. He does love playing Pakistan.
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11th over: England 67-1 (Malan 31, Crawley 23) It’s a double change as Shaheen gives way to Faheem Ashraf. Crawley’s bat goes back to making the right noises with an uppercut to third man for two and a straight drive that is well parried by the bowler, risking life and digit. Then Crawley pulls out the Viv shot again, or perhaps more of a KP – flamingoing over mid-on for four. His 23 has come off 22 balls.
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10th over: England 61-1 (Malan 31, Crawley 17) Babar, recognising the need to do something, takes Hasan off and brings on Haris Rauf, the fast bowler who sounds like an academy. First ball, he induces a leading edge from Crawley that could easily go down cover’s throat, but it loops to safety and brings three runs. The PowerPlay ends with England finding it all too easy. Any chance of a collapse, fellas?
“I see you’re not putting in the number of overs,” says John Starbuck. “Technical troubles?” Too kind! Actually it was a brainstorm.
9th over: England 56-1 (Malan 29, Crawley 14) Shaheen goes round the wicket, so Crawley adjusts too, stepping outside off to on-drive him through square leg, like Viv Richards on stilts. England need only 86 more.
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8th over: England 49-1 (Malan 28, Crawley 8) Another lovely stroke from Malan, just leaning forward and easing the ball through the covers. Hasan retorts with successive bouncers, but Malan hooks for four, a bit inelegantly, and then plays a better version of the same shot, for a single. This partnership is 26, off 22 balls, and Babar Azam badly needs another breakthrough.
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7th over: England 39-1 (Malan 19, Crawley 7) “I see your sumptuous boundary,” says Malan, “and I raise it...” He punches through the covers for four, then glides past gully for four more. He’s looking so resolute and competent, he could almost be from the England football team.
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6th over: England 30-1 (Malan 10, Crawley 7) Crawley is bowled, by a masterly yorker from Hasan – but it doesn’t count because it’s the free hit that follows a no-ball. Crawley sneaks a couple off an inside edge, and then he plays a cover drive that is every bit as good as the yorker, rasping into the gap for four.
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5th over: England 23-1 (Malan 10, Crawley 1) Crawley leaves his first ball, a touch too close for comfort, and his second, more judiciously. He blocks his third and picks up a single to gully, so he has already made more runs in this match than in the one he was pulled out of, Kent v Lancashire. He’s probably still feeling grateful at not having to face Jimmy Anderson again.
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Wicket! Salt c Maqsood b Shaheen 7 (England 22-1)
The breakthrough! Salt went hard again, at a ball slanted across his bow, and succeeded only in giving catching practice to first slip. A shame for him, but an opportunity for Zak Crawley.
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4th over: England 22-0 (Salt 7, Malan 10) Hasan again, and Malan, driving like a millionaire, gets an inside edge to fine leg, before Salt shows his class, throwing his hands through a cover drive on the up and following through with a flourish. Are you Jonny in disguise?
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3rd over: England 12-0 (Salt 2, Malan 7) A couple of wides from Shaheen, who seems determined to give Mohammad Rizwan plenty of exercise, and the chance to remind us how good he is. There’s a single to each batsman, and then Salt gets a nick but manages to save his bacon with soft hands.
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2nd over: England 8-0 (Salt 1, Malan 6) At the other end it’s Hasan Ali, charging in like a commuter with a train to catch, as we used to say in the old days. Malan greets him with a square force that’s wafty but effective, skimming over cover for four. And Salt, softening his hands, takes a quick single to mid-on to open his account at the Bank of International Sport.
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1st over: England 2-0 (Salt 0, Malan 1) The first ball is bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi, left-arm, fast, swinging it in – and appealing for LBW straight away, as Phil Salt, making his first decision as an international batsman, plays outside the line. But it’s pitching outside leg, and going down to boot. A leg-bye gets England moving, and then Dawid Malan pushes a single like the senior pro he is. Salt, looking hungry and punchy, gets bats on ball, but finds mid-off.
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Thanks Adam, afternoon everyone and welcome to a match that’s threatening to turn into a fairytale. A whole new squad, an XI consisting of Ben Stokes and ten understudies... and they’ve made the sixth-best team in the world look like schoolboys. But this is England, who always have a collapse up their sleeves, so the win is by no means in the bag. And it’s also Pakistan, who specialise in being mediocre one minute, magnificent the next. CricViz gives England a 91pc chance of a win (and Pakistan 7pc) – but that must be based on the form of the first team, led by Eoin Morgan. According to the slightly less scientific TimViz, this one is more like 75-25. Here they come...
And that’ll be the innings break. A quick game shoulld be a good game for England, who bowled outstandingly well in these strange circumstances. In saying that, Pakistan should remind themselves at the interval that this remains a vastly inexperienced home team - a few early breakthroughs and, well, who knows. Thanks for your company this afternoon, I’ll hand over to Tim de Lisle, who will be with you shortly for England’s chase. They require 142. Bye!
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Saqib Mahmood (10-1-42-4) speaks. “Having bowled at these guys and having got some of them out before gives me some confidence going into this game but they have seen me before today too. There was a bit of movement with the new ball but the pitch got better, so it was lucky that we got off to a good start. Getting one early settles the nerves a little bit, it was very nice. We haven’t had much time to think about it, it’s all happened very quickly in the end because the nerves haven’t built up and hopefully we can finish it off now.”
PAKISTAN 141 ALL OUT! WICKET! Shaheen c Stokes b Overton 12.
Shaheen miscues Overton to mid-on and is dropped by Parkinson but it doesn’t matter, because the next delivery is top-edged to the captain, who was never going to put it down. And that is that!
35.2 overs: Pakistan 141 (Rauf 0*)
35th over: Pakistan 139-9 (Shaheen 10, Rauf 0) Can Carse get himself into the book on debut? That’s be a nice way to finish the shift for England’s bowlers. Not initially, Shaheen picking up the length well and going over mid-off, currently inside the circle, to get himself a boundary. Buoyed by that bit of success, later in the set he tries to ramp him over the cordon but misses. Another short one to finish, which was right on the money and finds the splice of the bat but it spits away behind point with no gully in position.
34th over: Pakistan 134-9 (Shaheen 5, Rauf 0) Can Overton finish it off? He has three balls at Haris Rauf, the No11, and an old-school No11 at that. Not to be, despite landing a fine yorker - well kept out.
WICKET! Shadab c Malan b Overton 30 (Pakistan 134-9)
Good bouncer from Overton, tempting Shadab into the hook. He doesn’t get anywhere near enough of it though, Malan taking a second catch on the square leg rope are putting one down earlier.
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33rd over: Pakistan 132-8 (Shadab 29, Shaheen 4) Carse, who bowled an important spell at Fakhar and Maqsood to slow them down before that partnership was broken on 53, is back into the attack. They give him the close-up treatment on the TV coverage and, boy, my dear friend Daniel Norcross was spot on with the Woody Harrelson comparison - a dead spit. But can he dunk? What a flick.
32nd over: Pakistan 129-8 (Shadab 27, Shaheen 3) Overton is back and slips down the legside to Shaheen, but that’s the only run in an otherwise accurate over. The No10 isn’t getting these away. Drinks.
“Hello Adam.” It’s Andrew Benton with an update from Glos v Middx, the only championship game on today. “Eskinazi went for an excellent 102 just now - as bowled by Daniel Worrall and caught by Olly Price. One more wicket before tea would make a rather gripping game of it through to the end of the day!” Middlesex are currently 216-4, with 42 overs remaining and (notionally) 204 left to chase.
31st over: Pakistan 128-8 (Shadab 27, Shaheen 3) Saqib can’t complete a five-wicket bag but it matters little, his career-best 4/42 instrumental to the wonderful position England find themselves in here. If you’re just joining the coverage, the Lancashire star picked up Imam-ul-Haq leg before wicket with the first ball of the match then located Babar Azam’s outside edge with the third, the tourists two wickets down without scoring. He added Saul Shakeel to his column during the power play before coming back to remove Faheem Ashraf. Pace and bounce, a high-quality performance.
30th over: Pakistan 124-8 (Shadab 26, Shaheen 0) Shaheen will have to do as Hasan did - he is more a No11 than a No10. Parkinson beats him to finish; too good. The leggie has 2/28 from his seven - nice.
“Lovely pained reaction from young Pakistani fan in crowd at Ashraf’s dismissal,” notes Brian Withington. “You could sense the wisdom beyond his years in the disapproval at the stroke.”
Yep, you love to see it. Pakistan have wonderful supporters.
Some big news out of the ICC with a statement in my inbox saying that their chief executive, Manu Sawhney, is leaving “with immediate effect.” Geoff Allardice (Australia) will act in the role.
WICKET! Hasan c Malan b Parkinson 6 (Pakistan 123-8)
Well earned, young man. Almost a carbon copy of the catch that went down in the previous Parkinson over, except that this time the top edge was safely pouched by Malan at deep midwicket. Good bowling because he didn’t bowl it any quicker knowing that both men were swinging at him, happy to risk going for six in order to get his name in the book again - that’s the way it’s meant to work.
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29th over: Pakistan 120-7 (Shadab 22, Hasan 6) Saqib is nearly in the frame for his fifth but Hasan’s fat top edge doesn’t quite carry to deep third. Both men are now swinging hard here - get what they can. Will Stokes leave Parkinson on? It looks like he will. Good.
28th over: Pakistan 115-7 (Shadab 18, Hasan 5) Shadab Khan makes the only logical play as the last recognised batsman, flat-batting a Parkinson stock-delivery over long-on for just the second SIX of the innings. A risk, but fairly a calculated one. Oooh and Parkinson should have a second wicket to finish the other but Malan has put down a relatively easy catch at deep midwicket, Hasan Ali miscuing when trying to repeat what his partner did earlier in the over.
27th over: Pakistan 101-7 (Shadab 10, Hasan 0) Saqib welcomes Hasan Ali with a sharp bouncer, which he gets underneath. Ohhh, and a loose swing/miss to finish, nowhere near it outside the off-stump. The attack leader has two overs left. What a performance.
“Adam.” John Starbuck. “I’m in the same position as Richard Hirst, with no Twitter, Facebook, Tiktok, WhatsApp or anything else, because there’s no real point in them if you don’t really have to, but isn’t emailing the OBO itself a kind of ur-social media sharing?”
Of course, it is. And I was being overly flippant before: social media has been where I’ve come to know some of the best people in my life. But yes, twitter can be a toxic place if you don’t show restraint.
4⃣ FOR MAHMOOD! 🔥
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 8, 2021
"You've got to stop and admire Saqib Mahmood!" says @DineshKarthik as the England seamer finds some extra bounce to remove Faheem Ashraf!
Pak 101-7 #ENGvPAK 🏴🇵🇰
📺 Watch 👉 https://t.co/hHVnVeau9P
📱 Live Blog 👉 https://t.co/eRfproKmR3 pic.twitter.com/jXrpozwUWo
WICKET! Faheem c Simpson b Saqib 5 (Pakistan 101-7)
An edge there, easily pouched this time. Faheem was trying to force Saqib off the back foot but it got big on him with extra bounce, enough to draw the error from around the wicket. He has 4/33.
26th over: Pakistan 100-6 (Shadab 9, Faheem 5) A big swing from Shadab off Parkinson, not quite gloved by Simpson. The technology shows that there was a little underedge on that - frustrating for the man on debut, he hasn’t gone a lot wrong there, but it happens. At last, the 100 is up for Pakistan, who remain in a world of pain here.
25th over: Pakistan 97-6 (Shadab 6, Faheem 5) Better from the visitors, who have to find a way to get the board ticking over again. Shadab gets the Saqib over started with one behind point, Faheem adds a couple to midwicket, then two more singles to finish.
Here’s the most recent wicket, Fakhar falling to Parkinson.
Parky gets the dangerous Fakhar Zaman!
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 8, 2021
Scorecard & Videos: https://t.co/ssgEg3rxOn#ENGvPAK | @mattyparky96 pic.twitter.com/EEFdBuhAcu
24th over: Pakistan 92-6 (Shadab 4, Faheem 2) Parkinson holds up his end of the bargin, the only runs here a couple to Faheen through cover to get off the mark to finish. The leggie has 1/7 from four.
“Thankfully,” says Richard Hirst, “having no social media presence whatsoever, I am entirely oblivious to red, white or blue ticks.” And, believe me on this, you’re a healthier and better person for it.
23rd over: Pakistan 90-6 (Shadab 4, Faheem 0) Saqib got the party started with wickets in three balls to start this match - trapping Imam then finding Babar’s edge - can be keep it going now? Not quite. But it is a maiden to Shadab, who won’t be permitted to play his naturally assertive game with Pakistan so deeply in the hole.
“I’ve never understood all this talk about a blue tick on Twitter,” says Austin. “It’s a white tick. Pedantically yours.” Quite right!
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22nd over: Pakistan 90-6 (Shadab 3, Faheem 0) They’re a big chance of rolling Pakistan for not many more than 100 here. Will Stokes be ruthless and bring back Saqib? It looks like he will. That’s the spirit.
WICKET! Fakhar c Crawley b Parkinson 47 (Pakistan 90-6)
Oh dear. How often do you see a wicket coming from the first bad ball sent down by a wrist-spinner? And so it was here with a long-hop from Parkinson well outside the off-stump, but Fakhar tried to hit the cover of it and miscued to Crawley at point. They’re reeling.
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21st over: Pakistan 89-5 (Fakhar 47, Shadab 3) Ben Stokes! The captain brings himself into the attack. And, sure enough, it only takes a couple of balls before he’s grimacing, stopping Fakhar’s straight drive in his follow-through with the end of his right fingers. Earlier, he overstepped - the first of those we’ve seen today - but Fakhar couldn’t beat mid-on with the free hit opportunity.
20th over: Pakistan 83-5 (Fakhar 44, Shadab 1) Good cricket from Parkinson, racing through his over to keep the pressure up.
“The most disappointing thing about Dan Norcross’ tweet,” says Richard O’Hagan (see below about half an hour), “is not that I’m apparently not the person who looks most like Woody Harrelson but that an established TMS commentator still doesn’t have the Twitter Tick of Approval. What is the world coming to?”
Norcross, I assure you, would not want it even if it were offered. And, truth be told, it doesn’t quite work like that anyway. You wake up one morning and you have a blue tick - capiche.
19th over: Pakistan 82-5 (Fakhar 44, Shadab 0) That wicket was all about scoreboard pressure in the previous five overs, Overton and Carse then Parkinson really limiting the opportunities to turn the strike over, ultimately electing to try and do so from a ball that wasn’t there for it. That’s what they call hunting in packs.
RUN OUT! ☝
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 8, 2021
A complete breakdown in communication between the batsmen sees Maqsood run out to end a 53-run stand.
Vince kept his cool, Pakistan 79-5 #ENGvPAK 🏴🇵🇰
📺 Watch 👉 https://t.co/hHVnVeau9P
📱 Live Blog 👉 https://t.co/eRfproKmR3 pic.twitter.com/OC5SaGGjLu
WICKET! Maqsood run out [Vince - direct] (Pakistan 79-5)
Ahh! Fakhar pushed Carse to mid-on and ran but then sent Maqsood back when he realised Vince was charging in like he was running the 100m at Tokyo. Sure enough, the pick-up-and-throw was spot on, hitting the non-strikers’ stumps. The 53-run stand is over.
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18th over: Pakistan 75-4 (Fakhar 38, Maqsood 19) Time for spin, via Matt Parkinson - his first international since February 2020. He’s turned himself into a very consistent operator, putting a premium on hitting his accuracy rather than trying to spin it square every other delivery, even if that first brought him to attention in 2016.
17th over: Pakistan 72-4 (Fakhar 36, Maqsood 18) Make that eight off the last four overs, Carse going a very good job in these middle overs, banging it in and hitting the splice more often than not. It’s not difficult to see why they wanted him part of this squad.
16th over: Pakistan 70-4 (Fakhar 35, Maqsood 17) That’s a good little passage from England, six runs from the last three overs just when this aggressive pair looked set to shift up a couple of years. Drinks!
15th over: Pakistan 67-4 (Fakhar 32, Maqsood 15) Back to back tidy overs, via Carse here - he’s quick. These two have found the ropes but they’ve struggled to turn the strike over between times.
14th over: Pakistan 65-4 (Fakhar 32, Maqsood 15) Fakhar takes one off Overton through midwicket to start the over but he gives nothing to the dangerous Maqsood - just that single from the over.
Brydon Carse: is he closely related to Woody Harrelson?
— daniel norcross (@norcrosscricket) July 8, 2021
13th over: Pakistan 64-4 (Fakhar 31, Maqsood 15) Oiiii! Have some of that! Carse goes short of a length to Maqsood who, making room for himself, flays him for SIX 15 rows back over cover with the horizontal bat. As you do! Easy to see why he’s in this team.
12th over: Pakistan 57-4 (Fakhar 30, Maqsood 9) Maqsood down the ground now with a beautiful on-drive off Overton, who is taking a moment to settle. But around the off-stump on a good length he’s always tough to play, zipping past the right-hander’s outside edge.
11th over: Pakistan 51-4 (Fakhar 30, Maqsood 3) Four more for Fakhar, driving Carse straight past his boots for four. Welcome to international cricket, young fella. Nevertheless, a good start.
“Ultimate mind games from England,” tweets Phil Withall. “Announce team, Pakistan plan accordingly. COVID outbreak offers opportunity to completely change team, Pakistan unprepared. So simple, so brilliant.” Then there’s Saqib... he’s properly ready.
10th over: Pakistan 46-4 (Fakhar 26, Maqsood 2) A good end to the power play for Pakistan, Fakhar getting two opportunities to go back to Overton (the change of bowler) and nailing two pull shots for four. He’ll know that from here, the only way Pakistan post a competitive total is through something special from him, and he’s done it before.
“Afternoon Adam.” Hello, Simon McMahon. “As a Scot who has followed, indeed supported, the England cricket team for many decades now, I’ve got mixed feelings about last night. I can’t honestly say I’m thrilled, but Southgate and his team seem like genuinely nice lads, and it’s not their fault that the football media in England, by and large, makes Fox News look neutral. I try not to get too worked up by it, though the ‘It’s Coming Home’ schtick is wearing a bit thin now I’ll admit. At times last night the commentary / punditry on ITV bordered on embarrassing I thought (in marked contrast to when England won the Cricket World Cup in 2019). But you can hardly blame them for being excited. I’ve often considered why I don’t feel like this about the cricket, I mean it’s not like it doesn’t stir the emotions in the same way. Maybe it’s the lack of historical rivalry between Scotland and England? Or that the game just lends itself to more measured, thoughtful analysis? Anyway, hope you are well, and (checks notes) let’s hope football is the winner on Sunday. Or Italy. Fantastic start by England, by the way.”
A understandable and thoughtful note. I also found it odd the “we” and “us” nature of the call itself. I don’t mind it from the experts/pundits, but it jarred a bit from the play-by-play, but maybe that’s because we’re taught on radio/TV never to do that with cricket. Take the Headingley Miracle in 2019. Nasser, obviously, nails it. But so does Ricky Ponting. Why? Because he was able to immediately celebrate what this was for the sport rather than wallowing in how he might’ve felt as an Australian champion.
9th over: Pakistan 38-4 (Fakhar 18, Maqsood 2) Another fine cover drive from Fakhar, who is building in confidence, through the gap for four more. This time it is against Saqib, who is operating round the wicket. The experienced opener then retains the strike.
“‘Afternoon.” And to you, John Starbuck. “How was it that the all-new, dew-fresh England team were so quickly outfitted with their ODI kit, given that they are of different sizes? Maybe there should be a shout-out to the Costume Department. That’s assuming the players hadn’t already bought their stuff, just in case, you know.”
It’s a good point. My thoughts also went to the social media staff having to go back through the entire online history of every new player to the set-up. Due diligence after the Robinson farrago.
@collinsadam ultimate mind games from England. Announce team, Pakistan plan accordingly. COVID outbreak offers opportunity to completely change team, Pakistan unprepared. So simple, so brilliant.
— phil withall (@phil_withall) July 8, 2021
8th over: Pakistan 32-4 (Fakhar 13, Maqsood 1) Gregory is spot on again, albeit a touch lucky with Maqsood’s straight drive crashes into the non-strikers’ stumped rather than the rope beneath the sightscreen. Fakhar makes up for that to complete the over, bisecting the fielders on the cover ring to strike his first four. Shot.
“When looking at the squad selection, your first thought is the quite obvious elephant in the room,” begins Kevin Wilson. “Even with a Covid-19 breakout and a whole new squad, this batsman still can’t make the squad. What has he done to upset the management or maybe even Morgan himself? Just how unlucky is Sam Hain, with a List A average of more or less 60?”
Yes, it’s very odd. I suppose there is a perception that he doesn’t bat quickly enough? That’s what has kept him away from a Hundred contract, or so it has been reported. But a guy with his record (which includes three tons for the England Lions) should be recognised.
WICKET! Shakeel lbw b Saqib 5 (Pakistan 26-4)
Impact just in line and clipping the bails - the decision is upheld! Pakistan are in a world of pain as Saqib celebrates his third wicket. Fantastic pace, up around that 90mph mark - what a handful.
7th over: Pakistan 26-4 (Fakhar 8)
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DOES SAQIB HAVE A THIRD? Shakeel is given out lbw on the field but the left-hander is sending it upstairs. Round the wicket, is the impact in line? That’ll be the main query for the ball tracker.
6th over: Pakistan 24-3 (Fakhar 7, Shakeel 4) Gregory very tidy again, a couple behind point for Fakhar the only runs on offer, the big all-rounder down low to stop a straight drive in his follow-through to finish. We get a look at a graphic on Sky showing that the ball Fakhar edged would have hit off-stump flush had it maintained its original line, reinforcing that it was just about the perfect ball.
“England have now won the toss in their last ten ODIs (odds of 1 in 1,024),” reports my old mate Messy Jez on twitter. “The last time they lost was on 4 August 2020, when Ireland beat them. In the last 9 they have won 4, lost 4 & 1 no result.” Oooh! What if they go 12/12?
5th over: Pakistan 22-3 (Fakhar 5, Shakeel 4) Shakeel is off the mark for Pakistan, flicking with ease through midwicket for four. Nice. Meanwhile, that’s the second time that Saqib has located an inside edge with that extra yard of pace, Fakhar lucky not to chop on.
A little plug for a Guardian Cricket Live (online) event coming up on the evening of 2 August. I’m on the panel with Izzy Westbury and Taha Hashim, with the delightful Emma John steering the ship.
4th over: Pakistan 17-3 (Fakhar 4, Shakeel 0) Two left-handers now, with Shakeel - the other man on ODI debut - joining Fakhar, who has been watching the carnage from the non-strikers’ end. Four dots to complete Gregory’s successful over - talk about hitting your mark on debut without any nerves to speak of. Getting Rizwan early is huge.
“Hello Adam.” Allo, Andrew Cosgrove. “It’s nice to have some cricket to burble away in the background while working this afternoon. Also having a whole new team provides something new to be thinking/talking about. I appreciate you’re not likely to be any more informed than I am, but how come Lewis Gregory is playing? He’s supposed to be injured - he didn’t play in Somerset’s championship match this week because of that, and has missed at least one Blast game. Let’s hope he doesn’t break down in his first over.”
I can’t speak to that but I’ve been a huge fan of his bowling in the last year or so - he’s quicker now and lands it in a shoebox. So pleased that he’s been fit enough to take this opportunity.
JAFFA! 💥
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 8, 2021
Lewis Gregory with a beauty to take his first ODI wicket - Rizwan (13) nicking behind to Simpson.
Pakistan 17-3 after 4 overs. #ENGvPAK 🏴🇵🇰
📺 Watch 👉 https://t.co/hHVnVes5yp
📱 Live Blog 👉 https://t.co/qzVPqFtdwn pic.twitter.com/5WWPKIODEu
WICKET! Rizwan c Simpson b Gregory 13 (Pakistan 17-3)
Just about unplayable from Gregory! He finds Rizwan’s edge with the perfect delivery, pitching middle and seaming away. Simpson does the rest - his first international dismissal. Stunning cricket.
3rd over: Pakistan 14-2 (Fakhar 1, Rizwan 13) Shot. Rizwan, who is class, square drives Saqib on the up - delightful shot. Ooh, inside edge later in the over, great pace, skipping away for four more.
“Hi Adam.” Afternoon to Séin Healy in Ireland. “As a regular sender of emails looking for the TMS overseas link, it gives me immense pleasure to share said link for this. Enjoy the days cricket!” Ta!
2nd over: Pakistan 4-2 (Fakhar 0, Rizwan 4) Lewis Gregory now, on ODI debut - not the last time I’ll say that today. I’m glad he’s been thrown the new ball, as I said off the top, a vastly improved bowler and someone who could have a three-format future for England if he can take opportunities like this. And he begins with the tidiest of maidens to Fakhar, who slotted 193 (155) and 101 in his last two ODIs.
1st over: Pakistan 4-2 (Fakhar 0, Rizwan 4) A thick edge from Rizwan through fourth slip to finish the over, too quick for third man. Ruins what could have otherwise been a double wicket maiden to begin an ODI. Blimey. How many of these have started with two wickets in three balls? I’m sure the statisticians will tell us shortly.
WICKET(S)! ❌❌
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 8, 2021
🗣 @nassercricket: "Mahmood is on fire here!" 🔥🔥
Mahmood traps Imam lbw first ball, and then gets Babar nicking to second slip with his third!#ENGvPAK 🏴🇵🇰
📺 Watch 👉 https://t.co/hHVnVes5yp
📱 Live Blog 👉 https://t.co/qzVPqFtdwn pic.twitter.com/gxKTnuDGu4
WICKET! Babar c Crawley b Saqib 0 (Pakistan 0-2)
TWO WICKETS IN THREE BALLS! Saqib finds Babar’s edge, taken by Crawley at second slip! Outstanding bowling! WHAT A START!
WICKET! Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Saqib 0 (Pakistan 0-1)
Great referral! Just pitching in the tram tracks, three reds, hitting leg. It was Simpson who convinced his captain to review - the perfect start to his international career and the perfect start for the hosts.
REVIEW FIRST BALL! Has Saqib trapped Imam? It’s given not out - just pitching outside leg, perhaps? Stokes wants another look!
The players are on the field. It being the start of a new series, England are marking a moment of unity (alongside Pakistan), wearing their anti-discrimination shirts. “Ben’s babes,” as they are being dubbed on TV, which works quite nicely. Saqib Mahmood has the ball in his hand - giddy up. Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman are opening up for the visitors - a wonderful pair. PLAY!
“Hello Adam.” Hello, Andrew Benton. “Are you mandated to give occasional updates on Gloucs vs Middx? No Tanya and county blog today, and it looks like it could go down to the wire: Middx with 7 wickets but 270ish behind and two more sessions to bat.
Don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye on that - the only domestic game today. Of course, both Simpson and David Payne were both subbed out there after one day to join England in Cardiff. What a world.
Right, so let’s go through some of these names.
Phil Salt BELTS it. Plenty of experience on the T20 circuit, was in great form to start the Blast with a couple of rapid 70s before Sussex had five games rained off in the space of a couple of weeks. Hits long and straight, backs his swing. Perfect for the power play.
Lewis Gregory is a vastly improved cricketer; might take the new ball with Saqib Mahmood. Brydon Carse, from Durham, will make a case for that too - has wheels, can also bat. A very modern player.
Matt Parkinson is a twitter favourite, so it’ll be no surprise that I’ve been pushing his cause for about five years. After spending three months on tour this winter without playing, this is the perfect time to get him back into England colours (... and then the Ashes).
As for John Simpson - what a story. As I noted off the top, one of the four players in this squad not picked in the extended training group of 55 ahead of last season’s Covid-secure games. Had a great Blast season in 2020 and played a wonderful innings against Hants out at Radlett a couple of weeks ago. Some of the best gloves in the country with his best hitting between long off and cow corner.
Oh, and Saqib was bowling at 90mph swinging it both ways in the Roses game I was at in late May. He’s taken the next step. Fun!
Five men with PSL experience in England’s team today: Salt, Malan, Vince, Gregory, Mahmood
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) July 8, 2021
Jimmy Anderson fancied a game today. Of course he did. Busy earlier in the week, was the ageless quick, snaring his 1000th First Class wicket. Here’s a lovely piece by Tanya Aldred, who saw it live.
And here’s Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Sohaib Maqsood, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf.
Saud Shakeel, the left-handed batsman, is their one debut.
England XI: Phil Salt, Dawid Malan, Zak Crawley, James Vince, Ben Stokes (c), John Simpson (wk), Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton, Brydon Carse, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson.
Ben Stokes wins the toss, England are bowling
“We have been a successful team bowling and just because we have a change of personnel doesn’t mean we’ll change our way. It’s an exciting time for everyone involved here at the moment. When something like this comes along, and we can bring together a group of this callibre, it shows we are in a strong position.”
11 changes, Stokes jokes, with five players on debut, but struggles to remember all of them. Fair enough! We’ll have the full XI shortly.
The TV coverage begins. “What an opportunity,” says Ian Ward. That’s how Tim Gilkison feels about it as well. “Is it wrong to be more excited about this series because of all the debuts? I mean, I shouldn’t say I’m happy with what’s happened, but ...”
Perfectly reasonable, I say. And here’s the toss...
Here was Ben Stokes speaking yesterday. Sitting in a captain’s press conference just 48 hours after it was said that his return to national colours wasn’t going to be rushed. But needs, must.
Preamble
The morning after the night before in England, the wave of goodwill towards the nation’s footballers one that’s impossible not to get swept up in. But from one unusual experience to another: the cricketers turning out today in Ben Stokes’ Replacements XI.
Of course, it is hardly the fault of any of the players called up that they have been pulled from around the country to Cardiff, up to nine of whom could make their one-day international debuts in the first of these three matches against Pakistan. But it’s still utterly bizarre. Whatever happens, this will be a series remembered for a long time.
Who of the new 18 will be on the teamsheet when the coin is tossed? Absolutely no idea, so let’s not spectulate. It’d be lovely if they were all given at least one chance, so to have made this a fulfulling and worthwhile experience. Take someone like Gloucestershire’s David Payne, now 30 years of age, who last played with Ben Stokes when the pair of them were running around in England’s Under 19s.
He’s one of four players who weren’t in the extended bubble of 55 last June, giving some sense of the rise he’s had, with 25 wickets at 20 so far in the Championship, including 11 at Lord’s in a dominant display against Middlesex. It’s from that county that John Simpson, the 32-year-old gloveman, also gets this unexpected opportunity.
As for Pakistan, Babar Azam’s side look like a model of experience with Mohammad Rizwan one of the in-form players in the world so far in 2021 and a pace attack as good as any going around. However, they have lost mainstay Haris Sohail from the middle order with a hamstring tear confirmed by the PCB this morning. A big omission.
Right, let’s take a beat with the toss about 15 minutes away at Sophia Gardens. Have you... recovered from last night? Tell me your story.
