Arafat Minhas takes six as Pakistan beat England by 87 runs in tri-series: Harry Brook

RAWALPINDI: England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook has said Pakistan played excellent cricket, with brilliant fielding as well as bowling. He was speaking after England’s 87-run defeat in a One-Day International tri-series match.

According to The Independent, Pakistan were 133 for five when Arafat Minhas came in to bat. He scored 59 off 58 balls and took the team to 302 for nine. He later produced a career-best bowling performance, taking six wickets for 40 runs, and played a key part in bowling England out for 215. It was his fifth ODI. It was Pakistan’s second win, after the one against Sri Lanka.

England’s openers Tom Banton and Ben Duckett put on 91 runs. Banton was caught at mid-wicket for 57. After that, England’s batting faltered against Arafat and off-spinner Saim Ayub. Arafat bowled Brook with a turning delivery, dismissed the lower order and also ran out a batter with a direct hit.

Brook said the team was satisfied at the end of the first innings, as Pakistan had been held to a below-par score and the plans had been carried out. According to him, England could not build enough partnerships and wickets fell in quick succession. He said the bowlers could not be put under enough pressure to make mistakes. He said there had been much discussion about rotating the strike against spin in the middle overs, but pressure should also have been applied by hitting boundaries.

Speaking of Arafat, he said he is a good bowler and was the standout player of the match. He had watched videos of him but had not had much chance to play against him. Brook said he was not surprised by Pakistan’s performance, as they are an excellent side.

England’s next match is against Sri Lanka on Thursday. According to Brook, the team will learn from the defeat and prepare, and will not give up the contest easily. According to The Independent, England have won all three ODI series this year, having lost six of the previous seven.