It is well known that Pakistan is an unpredictable side. The Men in Green were skittled out for a paltry score of 105 runs against the Windies. However, the Pakistan team was up and running against favourites England as they posted a huge total of 348 runs. England skipper Eoin Morgan won the toss and decided to bowl first at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
Pakistan’s openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq added 82 runs for the opening stand. Fakhar Zaman was the aggressive partner as the southpaw batsman scored 36 with the help of six fours. However, the left-hander was dismissed when Jos Buttler effect a smart stumping when Zaman was beaten on the outside edge.
Furthermore, Imam-ul-Haq was taken brilliantly by Chris Woakes who score when the England fast bowler moved all the way from long-off to extra cover. Meanwhile, Babar Azam and Mohammed Hafeez made most of the good start which was provided by Pakistan openers.
Azam soon completed his fifty whereas Hafeez also timed the ball with perfection. Both the stylish batsman added 88 runs for the third wicket before Babar Azam could not time a big shot against Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes completed another good catch.
Pakistan was able to turn the tables.
Mohammed Hafeez was given a second life when he was on 14 runs. The right-hander could not time his shot, however, Jason Roy who had a forgettable day in the field, missed a sitter. In fact, Roy had placed his sunglasses on his cap and could not hold on to a simple catch.
Hafeez made sure that he punished England for the reprieve as the right-hander scored a fine knock of 84 runs from 62 balls with the help of eight fours and two sixes. Sarfraz Ahmed promoted himself but could not get his timing right. However, Ahmed was able to get the gaps in the field. Ahmed completed his fifty off just 46 balls. Moeen Ali scalped three wickets whereas Mark Wood took two wickets. Moreover, Chris Woakes scalped three wickets. In fact, Pakistan was rudderless in the last five years as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Another soft dismissal, Dont know why Fakhar down after brisk start. Pakistan allowed Moeeen to dictate.
— Abdul Ghaffar (Replay, Dawn News) (@GhaffarDawnNews) June 3, 2019
Pic 1: pakistan batting against West indies
Pic 2 : pakistan batting today #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/9dXzOYa68n— Musswair Ahmed (@MusswairA) June 3, 2019
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/kainaat_khalil/status/1135534810737315840
#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/Mo1L3foSnz
— S’ (@Kaneez_Zainab) June 3, 2019
England have fielded to my standard … !!!! #CWC19
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 3, 2019
Very good batting surface but PAK have the runs in a WC game #ENGvPAK
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) June 3, 2019
Four catches by a fielder in a WC:
Mohd Kaif vs SL Joburg 2003
Soumya Sarkar vs Sco Nelson 2015
Umar Akmal vs Ire Adelaide 2015
Chris Woakes vs Pak Nottingham 2019#ENGvPAK #CWC19 #WeAreEngland— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) June 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/Vitu_E/status/1135533988255346688
Asif Ali is the Dre Russ of Faisalabad.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) June 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/hershybru/status/1135516106872016898
Roy would perhaps like to dig a hole and disappear away from Trent Bridge at the moment #ENGvSA
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) June 3, 2019
For those who insist on asking "what does Moeen Ali bring to this England side" – 18 deliveries for 12 runs, on the flattest deck in the world, before sending the most dangerous oppo batsman back to the dressing room. That's what. #CWC19
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) June 3, 2019
Nasser Hussain "I'd have Babar Azam up there with the top 3-4 white ball cricketers at the moment, he's so pleasing on the eye, he'll never fall behind the run-rate" #CWC19 #ENGvPAK
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) June 3, 2019
Fantastic innings by Babar Azam. We are used to see him getting 100s but this knock is just as good. The risk he took was worth it but didn't go in his favour today. He has Pakistan an ideal platform for a big total. #EngvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 3, 2019
I’m fully confident in our team and their capabilities & truly believe they can go on to win this World Cup. Wishing the best of luck to our boys including @SarfarazA_54. Early games are crucial in building up confidence & momentum; we should strive for a win against England 2day
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) June 3, 2019
Did Sarfaraz say, 'ho gaya kaam'? Or did I fail to hear correctly? #ENGvPAK #CWC19
— Shamik Chakrabarty (@shamik100) June 3, 2019
Grab No.4 for Chris Woakes which equals the record for most outfield catches in a World Cup innings 👌#ENGvPAK #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/1f6zCmq3LB
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) June 3, 2019
