Twitter Reacts as England Beats Pakistan by Narrow Margin in High-Scoring Encounter

England continued their love affair of scoring high total in their own conditions as the hosts posted a gargantuan score of 373-3 after Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and decided to bowl first. The hosts defeated Pakistan by 12 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Jason Roy and in-form Jonny Bairstow added 115 runs for the opening stand to give a solid platform for a big score.

Jason Roy scored 87 runs from 98 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes in his blistering knock. On the other hand, Jonny Bairstow also timed the ball with perfection to score 45-ball 51 with the help of six fours.

Another high-scoring contest.

Joe Root played a typical Joe Root like innings as the right-hander scored 40 from 54 balls. In fact, the play was interrupted by rain but didn’t cut down on the overs. England skipper Eoin Morgan once again hit the ground running as the southpaw batsman scored a quickfire knock of 71 runs from only 48 balls laden with six fours and one six.

However, the knock of the day came from Jos Buttler’s blade. The talisman right-hander oozed his pyrotechnics to play a majestic knock of 110 off just 55 balls. Thus, he batted with a strike rate of 200 with the help of six fours and nine sixes to take England to a mammoth total of 373.

Pakistan all but chased it down against England.

On the other hand, Pakistan also got off to a splendid start in their run-chase. Pakistan knew they had to climb a mountain and they began their journey at a brisk pace. The tourists’ opener Fakhar Zaman was on fire as the left-hander scored a fine knock of 138 runs off 106 balls with the help of a dozen fours and four sixes.

Babar Azam and Asif Ali scored 51 each but Pakistan was always chasing too many. Sarfraz Ahmed also played a good knock of 41 runs but it was not enough. The visitors needed 19 off the last over but could only get five runs in the final over.

Here is how Twitter reacted to England’s win:

Great game of Cricket … England showed in the batting why they will take some stopping … also showed how important @craig_arch is already … Pakistan proved to me today that they could go along way in the WC … #ENGvPAK

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 11, 2019

So what’s a winning score in the World Cup?? Pakistan on the verge of chasing down 373! Wow!

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 11, 2019

I honestly hope that Fakhar goes on to be the greatest player in living memory. His name deserves greatness! @englandcricket

— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) May 11, 2019

Good day for Jofra Archer. If he wasn’t nailed on for England’s WC squad already he is now.

— Chris Stocks (@StocksC_cricket) May 11, 2019

this series between @TheRealPCB and @englandcricket is the perfect prep for the @cricketworldcup just a few weeks away.

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) May 11, 2019

Two major reasons Pakistan couldn't win today:

1) Imam, Babar, Haris batted 114 balls together and hit just four boundaries. The three together seem to be misfit in the XI.

2) You need a bowler to contain runs or take wickets in the middle overs, Yasir Shah can't do either.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) May 11, 2019

Pakistan might be experimenting ahead of world cup but the spirited run chase in 2nd ODI will give them confidence without star players. they must get Asif Ali & Amir in WC 15. Sarfaraz or Hafeez must open with Zaman & Junaid, Amir must open the bowling. #ENGvPAK

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) May 11, 2019

Hence, I rate T20 cricket better than modern day ODIs. By default, you at least get old ball swing and a fast-paced game #ENGvPAK

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) May 11, 2019

Pakistan showing the world how to beat England at their own game.

This World Cup is going to be won by the best bowling side, as it is usually.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 11, 2019

What a game of cricket. Pakistan made a real fist of that chase but England's death bowling was excellent. Plus, of course, they had Jos Buttler. #ENGvPAK

— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) May 11, 2019

Grand chase by Pak of England’s hefty 373. Fell short by 12 runs but have served notice that their batting is not as weak as imagined

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 11, 2019

Top effort @TheRealPCB a lot of heart in that run chase regardless of result. hopefully we can build on it. Well played @FakharZamanLive

— Azhar Ali (@AzharAli_) May 11, 2019

Jos Buttler is an absolute genius of the game. Had it not been about 'MY INDIA', I would have backed England all the way to win the World Cup. They are that fearless at home. #ENGvPAK

— Gautam Sodhi (@GautamSodhi1) May 11, 2019

What a pleasure to watch @josbuttler in full flow .. ? #ENGvPAK ..

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 11, 2019

@josbuttler you freak ? ?????

— Liam Livingstone (@liaml4893) May 11, 2019

@josbuttler ?????

— Sam Billings (@sambillings) May 11, 2019

As @MichaelVaughan kept saying, England have scored 350+ because their bowlers have been conceding those many. Today, the batsmen have made 373 but Pakistan are making the run-chase achievable. This World Cup will be about wicket-takers in the middle overs.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 11, 2019

Congratulations @FakharZamanLive on 4th ODI ?, Unlucky not to win this game but great effort from all the team ?????? , Wil come harder & stronger , Pakistan ?? Zindabad

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) May 11, 2019