England win at Headingley to go 4-0 up

Pakistan’s Azhar Ali hits a six during Fourth One Day International cricket game against England, at Headingly, on Thursday, September 1, 2016.

“I haven’t got that many wickets in one-dayers this summer, but feel like I’ve bowled quite tight and that’s important”. “I’ve been there a few times, five or six”. “England are a phenomenal cricket team, power-hitters all the way down”, he said.

Losing the series Pakistan team will now play for the honour in the fifth and final one-day worldwide match. “My view is you’re not safe anywhere these days”, said Ali. “I don’t think there was any panic whatsoever, even at four down”.

However, Pakistan’s bowling coach Azhar Mahmood is hopeful of good show by Pakistan in next games.

England one-day captain Eoin Morgan has set himself a deadline to decide within the next week whether he is prepared to travel.

“But at the same time you’ve got faith in the people coming in all the way down, so if you’re 10 for three, it’s not panic stations”.

“It’s been a disappointing time for us, but there are (still) a lot of positives”, he said. “Under pressure, you do different things, you know”. It’s up to the individual.

That is what England have done following their embarrassing first-round exit at last year’s 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. England, however, fielded a team in the youth tournament.

Mohammad Irfan rocked England with two early wickets but, much too Arthur’s annoyance, the giant paceman only bowled half of his allotted 10 overs because of a calf problem.

The giant 7ft 1in (2.1 metres) Irfan, who was himself only called into the squad as an injury replacement for Mohammad Hafeez on August 27, managed just five legitimate overs in Thursday’s fourth one-day global against England at Headingley before going off with cramps to the visible annoyance of coach Mickey Arthur.

He fell short of a second century in the series, but Pakistan had enough leeway and kept their nerve for an overdue win with 10 balls to spare.

The towering left-armer, who conceded three wides, also received two official warnings from the umpires for running on the pitch.

Sarfraz Ahmed made a classy 90 as Pakistan achieved a consolation four-wicket win in the fifth and final one-day worldwide in Cardiff on Sunday.

Mohammad Irfan’s fitness issues meant a return for Mohammad Amir after missing the Headingley defeat, while Pakistan also brought back Shoaib Malik at the expense of Sami Aslam, with Azhar returning to opener.

Mickey Arthur, the Pakistan coach, did not hide his frustrations in the dressing room but later defended Irfan’s call-up despite his very limited recent cricket, insisting that “checks and balances” had been in place.

“It was a bit more of a competitive game”, said Azhar at the presentation ceremony.