Roy and Stokes fifties carry England to 302-9 in 5th ODI

Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik’s sublime 163-run partnership proved crucial as Pakistan avoided a series whitewash with a four-wicket victory over England in Sunday’s fifth one-day global.

Roy faced 89 balls, including eight fours and two sixes.

The victory was only Pakistan’s second in ODI cricket this year and ended a run of seven consecutive defeats to England in the format.

Pakistan made two changes; Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Shoaib Malik are in and Mohammad Irfan and Sami Aslam out for the last game. For the first time this series, Pakistan had a chance of victory when England slumped to 72 for four at Headingley.

Hales struck Amir, recalled in place of the injured Mohammad Irfan, for three successive fours in as many balls.

Morgan fell disappointingly too when he mistimed a full toss straight back at Imad Wasim, the Swansea-born spinner taking a wicket with only his third delivery back in Wales.

England were in danger of falling short of 300 until Chris Jordan launched Gul for six in the last over.

Stokes contributed only nine singles to the 50 stand with Roy, who had a minor moment of fortune on 55 when Mohammad Rizwan was unable to hold what would have been a memorable catch diving to his right at midwicket off Shoaib. Despite Azhar’s knock, Pakistan was tottering at 180 for 7 at one stage, and only a feisty, unbeaten 41-ball 57 from Imad Wasim, the allrounder, at No. 8 helped it to a respectable total. But the team fought back in style, as Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes scored attractive fifties to steady the ship.

Roy, one of England’s white ball stars this summer, looked on course for his third ton until he pulled Mohammad Amir to Hasan Ali on the square leg boundary.

Pakistan’s reply was initially stop-start.

Chris Woakes removed the unsafe Sharjeel Khan, and when Mark Wood struck twice in three balls to get rid of Babar Azam and Azhar, Pakistan were teetering at 77 for three.

Fall of wickets in quick succession but England still going above 6 an over.

“Everyone makes mistakes, as long as you learn from them”.

According to a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board, Irfan suffered cramps in his hamstring but they later spread to his calves and hence he is being sent back home to improve his fitness.

The England batsman unfortunate incident sparked a frenzy online as people rejoiced in Stokes’ obvious pain and if the Yorkshire County player did glance over to his team’s for comfort, he would not have received much.