Sarfraz, Shoaib lead Pakistan to consolation ODI win

The European side will be aiming a clean sweep as throughout the series, Pakistani side has offered only brief patches of resistance against the much dominant English attack. But, England will be aware of the unpredictable Pakistan team, who will be hell bent to finish the series with a win. “I’m finding my way with the one-day team”.

It was also the highest ODI total in a match between two Test nations, topping South Africa’s 439 for two against the West Indies at Johannesburg a year ago.

England are now ranked fifth in the ICC ODI rankings but their performances of late merit them a higher place, which should come if they can remain consistent in the shorter formats.

England’s winter tours take them to Bangladesh and India, where conditions are likely favour slow bowlers.

Meanwhile, Swansea-born Imad Wasim is looking forward to returning to Wales. He hit a four off Chris Jordan through mid-on to claim a four-wicket triumph for the tourists, who ensured the series finished 4-1 to England. Jos Buttler did little in training in Cardiff on Saturday and still has a tight quad and hamstring injury that gave Bairstow his late call up on his home ground.

While England’s home season is one of the most awaited cricketing events not just in the United Kingdom, but also all over the world, it is anybody’s guess that Test cricket gains prime importance throughout the season and the limited-overs matches only come after that.

England did break the partnership eventually and a couple of quick wickets ensured a nervy ending was in store for Pakistan, but the hosts’ hopes of just a second ODI whitewash in a series of five or more matches were to be denied. Mohammad Amir, who was rested for that game, is likely to replace him.

The lowest strike-rate of an England player in the XI at Headingley – when the match was completed – was David Willey’s 81.17. But they haven’t been able to perform as a unit.

“Irfan suffered from cramping while playing the fourth ODI against England at Leeds”. In the players rankings for bowlers, Australia pacers Mitchell Starc, James Faulkner and John Hastings have made significant gains in Sri Lanka with their perfomance. He bowled his ten over for 33 and took important wicket of in-form Morgan.

Rashid has been rewarded for his eight wickets in the series with a rise of six places that has put him in 10th position, while Woakes has climbed 13 places to 16th after finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the series with nine wickets.

“What happened in the past you can’t change, but we can learn from our mistakes and move on”.