BBL 2020, Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

England overtrumped Pakistan by six wickets in a high-scoring encounter at Bristol to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series on May 14 (Tuesday). The host chased 359 runs set by Pakistan with 31 balls to spare.

England take an unassailable lead

Chasing a mammoth target, Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow started on the fifth gear. It was raining fours and sixes in Bristol and both the openers launched a carnage against Pakistan bowlers. Roy and Bairstow both completed their half-century in style propelling England to 120 for no loss in just 14 overs to set up the chase. However, against the run of play, Faheem Ashraf finally ended the staggering stand of 159 in just over 17 overs getting the better of Roy (76).

England vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI - Twitter Reacts as England Take 2-0 Lead Over Pakistan 1
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Bairstow also followed soon after hitting a 74-ball 100 chopping one from Junaid Khan on to his stumps. But Joe Root and Ben Stokes kept up the momentum to keep England on track for the chase. Pakistan tried to bounce back, but Moeen Ali continued his excellent form to seal the tie with five overs to spare.

Previously, Imam-ul-Haq played an outstanding knock to power Pakistan to post 358 runs on the scoreboard. The visitors were struggling at one point reeling at 27 for two losing Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam within the first five overs. But strong contributions from Harris Sohail and Asif Ali along with Imam-ul-Haq swashbuckling batting propelled Pakistan over the 350-run mark. Imam and Sohail bailed their side from danger and looked to counterattack playing a flurry of shots.

England vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI - Twitter Reacts as England Take 2-0 Lead Over Pakistan 2
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Although Sohail got out, Imam and Sarfraz Ahmed, though, kept the scorecard ticking over by sharing a stand of 67 for the third wicket. Once Liam Plunkett removed the Pakistan skipper, Asif took on the gauntlet of hitting the accelerator pedal. Asif and Imam thumped a string of shots to put England’s bowlers under the pump. Imam also reached his sixth hundred in just his 27th ODI with a single off David Willey. England bounced back in style in the last few over to restrict Pakistan for 358 runs.

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Ankush Das

I am an accountant by qualification, my parents thought their obedient son would study further to become a CA, but I had other things in mind. An ardent Cricket fan is following his passion and making...