World Cup 2019: Unpredictable Pakistan beats England in last over thriller

The mercurial Pakistan once again showed the world why they are the most unpredictable side in the cricketing world, after they beat World Cup favourites and the top ranked ODI side England by 14 runs in a thrilling ICC World Cup 2019 encounter on Monday at Trent Bridge, Nottingham   

England needed to rewrite World Cup history as they were set a mammoth 349 runs target by Pakistan, the hosts despite a fantastic counterattack with the bat failed ending at 334 runs at the loss of nine wickets in their 50-overs.

Shadab Khan picked the first wicket for Pakistan, after he got Jason Roy lbw on 8 in the 3rd over of England's innings. Speedster Wahab Riaz picked his first wicket of the tournament, after Jonny Bairstow on 32 was caught behind by Sarfaraz Ahmed in the ninth over.

All rounder Mohammad Hafeez got the big breakthrough after he bowled English captain Eoin Morgan on 9.

OUT! Morgan b Hafeez 9(18). England: 86/3 (14.5 ov). #ENGvPAK Live Updates: https://t.co/cPxYS6V9CO#CWC19 #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/syoRRY5B3z

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) 3 June 2019

Veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik picked up the scalp of Ben Stokes, after the Englishmen got caught behind by Sarfaraz Ahmed on 13 in the 22^nd over.

Joe Root reached his 15th ODI hundred, but perished to Shadab Khan on 107 runs, ending an impressive 130 runs partnership with Joss Buttler. Mohammad Amir took the all important wicket of the dangerous Joss Buttler, who got dismissed on 103 runs after getting caught by Wahab Riaz in the 45th over.

Wahab Riaz picked up two wickets in the 48th over, Moeen Ali was the first to perish on 19 runs, Chris Woakes the very next delivery on 21 runs.  Wahab was back in action, this time with the field as he caught Jofra Archer at deep, off Mohammad Amir delivery in the penultimate over of the game.

England would need the highest run chase in World Cup history after Pakistan posted 348 runs at the loss of wight wickets in their 50-overs.

Maiden @cricketworldcup 5⃣0⃣

Well played @babarazam258 👏👏👏#ENGvPAK Live Updates: https://t.co/cPxYS6V9CO#CWC19 #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/evkr92BvMp

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) 3 June 2019

Pakistan enjoyed a strong opening stand of 82 runs that finally ended, after Joss Buttler stumped Fakhar Zaman on 36 off Moeen Ali delivery. Moeen Ali striked again this time with the wicket of Imam ul Haq, after the opener was caught by Woakes on 44.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez stabilize Pakistan with the third wicket partnership of 88 runs, before Babar became the third victim of Moeen Ali, who departed after a well played knock of 63 after getting caught by Woakes.

Mark Wood picked his first wicket of the game with the important scalp of Mohammad Hafeez in the 43^rd over, Hafeez was caught by Chris Woakes after a fine knock of 84 runs, Hafeez was the top scorer for his side.

Woods striked again when the dangerous Asif Ali was dismissed on 14 after getting caught by Jonny Bairstow in the 47^th over.

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed got caught and bowled by Chirs Woakes after playing a good inning of 55 off 44 deliveries. Woakes picked up two wickets during the final overs of the game, dismissing Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Malik on 4 and 8, respectively.

Earlier, England won the toss and opt to field first against Pakistan.

“Looks a good batting pitch, so we're hoping to put runs on the board and defend. I think it's a one-off performance and hoping to get things right today,” said Sarfaraz during the toss.

Meanwhile, the national side’s bowling coach Azhar Mahmood said that the match wouldn’t ‘be easy’. However, the extensive stay in England could prove beneficial for Pakistan.

“They've played in England, so they have enough experience and motivation to go and win the game for Pakistan. This is World Cup. It won't be easy for us. It will be a roller coaster, not for us, for all the teams. It's a big tournament, so as long as we learn from our mistakes and we move on, it's better for us," said Pakistan’s bowling coach, Azhar Mahmood.

Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali joined the squad in place of Haris Sohail and Imad Wasim, whereas, Mark Wood comes in place of Liam Plunkett for England.

England (Playing XI): Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed(w/c), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir