Pakistan vs England 1st ODI: Hafeez’s century helps Pakistan draw first blood

Hafeez (right) celebrates after scoring his 11th ODI century

Hafeez (right) celebrates after scoring his 11th ODI century

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez scored an unbeaten 102 to lead his side to a comfortable six-wicket win over England in the first ODI in Abu Dhabi.

Hafeez was well supported by fellow batsman Babar Azam, who made a quickfire 62 not out.

England captain Eoin Morgan would have been brooding over his decision to bat first as he and James Taylor were the only two batmen to have a major impact with the bat.

Morgan made a gutsy 76

Morgan made a gutsy 76

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Morgan top-scored with 76 off 96 balls, which included 11 boundaries, while Taylor struck 60 off 82 deliveries, which included three boundaries and two sixes.

Taylor scored a valiant 60

Taylor scored a valiant 60

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

With Chris Woakes being the next highest scorer with 33, England were bowled out for a disappointing total of 216.

Mohammad Irfan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Anwar Ali and Shoaib Malik snapped up two wickets apiece and Yasir Shah chipped in with one.

Chasing 217 to win, Pakistan got off to a horrible start as Reece Topley ripped through the top order to leave the hosts in a spot of bother at 41/3 in the 10th over.

However, Hafeez and Malik steered the innings back in the right direction with a 70-run partnership, during which Hafeez brought up his half-century, before Malik was caught by Jason Roy off the bowling of Moeen Ali for 26.

But, Malik’s wicket was to be England’s last taste of success for the remainder of the match as Hafeez and Azam finished things off with an unbeaten 106-run stand, during which Hafeez registered his 11th ODI century and Azam his half-century.

Hafeez finished on 102 off 130 balls, which included 10 boundaries and a six, while Azam remained undefeated on 62 off 62 deliveries, which included two boundaries and four sixes.

Azam scored a career-best 62 not out

Azam scored a career-best 62 not out

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Topley was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Ali claimed one.

Hafeez was named Man of the Match.

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