England crumbled to an 87-run defeat in their ODI tri-series opener against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, their batting malfunctioning severely after an excellent start.
England, who have won their last three bilateral ODI series, cruised to 91-0 inside 15 overs in a chase of 303. They then collapsed and were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs. Home spinner Arafat Minhas backed up his maiden ODI half-century with figures of 6-40.
Arafat strikes to derail the chase
Visiting captain Harry Brook (5) fell to a beauty from Arafat, who bowled him. Openers Ben Duckett (47) and Tom Banton (47) had put together a rollicking opening stand but failed to build on it against a Pakistan side that had rallied from 81-4 earlier in the day after being put in to bat.
Hat-trick chance and a late collapse
The tourists wilted once the hosts broke a patient stand of 31 from 57 balls between Joe Root (33) and Sam Curran (27), with England on 128-3.
Arafat then found himself on a hat-trick in the 39th over after he removed Will Jacks (19) and Adil Rashid (1) with successive deliveries. Two balls later he ran out Gus Atkinson (7) to clinch victory.
What comes next
England return to action against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Thursday (9am UK). The three sides play each other twice in the tournament, and the top two teams in the table then meet in a final in Lahore on Saturday, October 31.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the first game of the tournament on Sunday.
ODI tri-series results and schedule
All times are UK and Ireland.
October 18 – Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs (Rawalpindi)
October 20 – Pakistan beat England by 87 runs (Rawalpindi)
October 22 (9am) – Sri Lanka vs England (Rawalpindi)
October 25 (8am) – Pakistan vs England (Lahore)
October 27 (8am) – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Lahore)
October 29 (8am) – Sri Lanka vs England (Lahore)
October 31 (8am) – Final (Lahore)