James Taylor lauds ‘exceptional’ England

England will be hoping to build on their series-levelling victory as they reconvene with Pakistan for their third one-day global in Sharjah.

Ahead of the crucial contest, former pace spearhead Waqar said that they needed to play well to make it 2-1 and suggested that Pakistan must make sure that they avoid a battling slump like they did in the second match, the Dawn reported.

Pakistan reshuffled their batting order for the second match in Abu Dhabi, moving Babar Azam up to open at the expense of Bilal Asif whose place in the side went to Mohammad Rizwan who slotted in at No. 6.

Four runs taken by the Pakistani openers.

Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (Captain), James Taylor, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, David Willey, Reece Topley.

Younis was recalled for the four-match series after being overlooked since Pakistan’s exit from the Cricket World Cup in March.

Azhar said Pakistan suffered multiple problems and were forced to use 11 different opening combinations in the past 12 months.

“We don’t want to risk him as he is nursing a knee injury so he will not be considered for Tuesday’s game”, Alam told AFP. Azhar revealed that his side needs a set of opening pair since a year ago, but the absence of allrounders due to injury is making it hard to pick up the right combination.

Azhar said Yasir, who took 15 wickets in Pakistan’s preceding 2-0 Test series win but managed 1-108 in two one-day matches, had bowled well in the first game of the series.

England, unsurprisingly are unchanged, while for Pakistan the risky Yasir Shah is injured so Zafar Gohar, the slow left-armer, comes in for his debut.

Eight runs came for Pakistan in the over. While batting first, England scored 284 for 5 in 50 overs.

“Reality demanded that he should have completed the series”, Waqar said.