England’s Eoin Morgan praises Alex Hales and Jason Roy’s century partnership

Hales said England were focused on winning the four-match series, with the third game in Sharjah on Tuesday followed by the final match in Dubai on Friday. As Pakistan collapsed in reply, its worth was amplified.

England’s display with the bat was also backed up by the bowlers as Pakistan slipped to 50 for five in the 19th over. The Roy/Hales partnership will fire as many blanks as bullets, but their impetus at the top of the order is surely what England require in this day and age.

David Willey gives England ideal start: The one thing Pakistan did not want at the start of the innings was to lose wickets upfront but David Willey denied them that luxury.

“Last night’s conversation, which wasn’t an inquest, was ‘what have we learned, what do we need to do better and how can we make sure we win the next game?'”

“I want to dedicate this hundred to Younis who has been a role model for all of us”, said Hafeez of the senior batsman.

Morgan made 76 in Wednesday’s meeting in Abu Dhabi as England were bowled out for 216, with Pakistan securing a six-wicket win following a poor start which saw them at 14-3 inside just four overs.

England strongly recoiled back in the series as they showed their dominance in all departments of the game, hence, Pakistan wasn’t able to resist revengeful English attack.

Roy was the driving force in England’s opening stand, but it was Hales who stayed the course into the 39th over.

But this pitch wouldn’t have any life if you detonated half a dozen mortar shells on a good length, and the true value of Hales’ landmark innings soon became apparent.

Pakistan’s all-time record Test run-scorer has no doubt his timing is spot on.

“You go back to the last time England were here and the four hundreds by Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen nearly counted for double because there is not the pace on the ball to get your innings going for new batsmen”.

The 35-year-old finished with an unbeaten 130-ball 102 to steer Pakistan to the modest target of 217 in 43.4 overs, carrying his batting form from the preceding 2-0 Test series win last week into the limited-overs clash.

“There’s no point guys coming in with skills like that, trying to see off a new ball for 20 to 30 overs”. Sarfraz had a run 30-partnership with Mohammad Rizwan (17) for the sixth wicket and 65 for the seventh wicket with Anwar (23) but it only delayed Pakistan’s defeat.

But he failed miserably in the World Cup 2015, managing 6, nought and 37 in the three matches he played before being dropped from the side again.
Younis said he had consulted with those close to him before reaching the decision.