Pakistan suffered a spectacular blowout to allow a young England team to canter to victory in the opening ODI of the series.
The tourists have put themselves under pressure, not only by losing but ceding any psychological edge they may have had over an inexperienced and hurriedly put together side.
To Win Match
England 82/100
Tie 25/1
Pakistan 21/20
England vs Pakistan | Saturday 10 July | Lord’s, London | 12:00
England
England were given the edge in the match and by extension the series by Saqib Mahmood’s excellent opening spell that backed Pakistan into a corner.
Test regular Zak Crawley came in and continued his good form from the domestic game, albeit in a knock conducted in a modest chase. Dawid Malan also seems to be in great touch.
Matt Parkinson filled in for Adil Rashid well enough in the spin department but he too wasn’t tested as Pakistan’s top order gave way. England might consider not fielding a spinner considering the prevailing conditions.
Ben Stokes led the team to victory in his first match as captain of an England ODI side in which neither himself nor James Vince were called on to pick up a bat.
Pakistan
Pakistan need to put the first match behind them as soon as possible if they are to get anything at all out of this series.
Skipper Babar Azam’s duck and Pakistan’s terrible start knocked them back in the first ODI and the captain will want to be at the forefront of putting things right.
Shaheen Afridi got an early wicket but Pakistan simply had not put enough runs on the board for their bowlers to work with.
Pakistan need much more from their top four that includes form players of the last year Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Babar.
Verdict: England 82/100
The hosts have their tails up now.
