Was the Pakistan-England ODI in Sharjah fixed?

“Even Pakistan players themselves these days are reporting every approach that seems to come their way and I wouldn’t be too suspicious”, he said.

Following their ODI series loss against England in United Arab Emirates, Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis has insisted that his young side is on a learning curve and will improve with time.

Ramiz Raja said that they know that Pakistani batsmen are not the best when it comes to running between the wickets and Muhammad Hafeez especially makes a few mistakes in calling for the run so it is not anything to wonder about.

Pakistan was bowled out for 208 on a flat pitch, with skipper Azhar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan and Shoaib Malik run out. England levelled the series with a 95-run win in the second game and achieved a six-wicket win in the third.

Vaughan’s comments were prompted by a Pakistan collapse in Sharjah, which contained three run-outs and five boundary catches.

“The way they started and played well throughout, unfortunately we lost but I think we have gained that mindset which I have been saying that we have to play positive and attacking cricket”.

But asked afterwards whether he had any reason to question his players’ performances in Sharjah, Younis replied: “There was nothing wrong with that game”.

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Shahryar Khan, is believed to be consulting the global Cricket Council over a series of tweets by Vaughan during the game which he later deleted.

He wrote: “3 run outs and a few iffy shots from Pakistan”. Never seen that before!!’ he tweeted. “Although he later deleted those tweets, the damage was done”. “I think he has given a very wrong statement”, said Khan on Friday.

Pakistan’s erratic performance, with the bat especially, brought a quizzical reaction from many on social media – including former England captain Michael Vaughan.

“If the ICC is committed then we have to overcome the hurdle of the International Olympic Committee accepting cricket because there are a lot of other sports that want inclusion in the 2024 Olympics”, said Richardson.

England piled up 355-5, thanks to Roy’s maiden ODI hundred and Buttler’s magnificent 116 not out off 52 balls. “I am sure they would have learnt from mistakes”.