Hales celebrates after scoring his first ODI century

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England opener Alex Hales scored his maiden ODI century to help his side crush Pakistan by 95 runs and level the series at 1-1.

Hales was well supported by batsman Joe Root and his opening partner Jason Roy as they made 63 and 54 respectively.

However, Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed deserves a lot of credit for his valiant knock of 64.

England captain Eoin Morgan would have been thrilled with his decision to bat first as Hales and Roy amassed a 102-run partnership, during which Roy brought up his half-century, before he was caught by Shoaib Malik at mid-on off the bowling of Wahab Riaz.

Roy’s solid knock of 54 came off 57 balls and included eight boundaries.

Roy scored his third ODI fifty

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Hales and Root kept the runs flowing with an 114-run stand, during which Hales registered his maiden ODI century, before he was stumped by Ahmed off the bowling of debutant Iftikhar Ahmed.

Hales’ career-best innings of 109 came off 117 deliveries and included seven boundaries and three sixes.

Root went on to score 63 off 77 balls, which included three boundaries, before he was clean bowled by Riaz.

Root’s superb form with the bat continued

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Following Root’s dismissal, England endured a mini collapse and ultimately finished on 283/5 off their 50 overs.

Riaz was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Ahmed and Mohammad Irfan chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing 284 to win, Pakistan struggled from the get-go and were subsequently reduced to 80/6 in the 28th over.

However, Ahmed stood tall amongst the rubble and worked his way to a brilliant 64, which came off 76 balls and included three boundaries, before he succumbed to the mounting pressure and was caught behind off the bowling of Chris Woakes.

Once Ahmed was back in the pavilion, Pakistan’s glimmer of hope was extinguished as they were eventually bowled out for 188.

Woakes was the most successful bowler with four wickets, while David Willey snapped up three and Reece Topley, Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali claimed one wicket each.

Hales was named Man of the Match.