Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas lead Pakistan recovery to set 303-run target for England

Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas staged a vital recovery before Faheem Ashraf delivered a late flourish, guiding Pakistan to 302 against England in the ODI tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

The hosts, who lost half their side for 133, recovered through a series of partnerships, with Hasan’s 79 and Arafat’s 59 providing the foundation for a competitive total.

How did England put Pakistan under early pressure?

England’s decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends as Gus Atkinson sent Fakhar Zaman back without scoring, Joe Root completing the catch at short midwicket in the opening over.

Saim Ayub tried to be aggressive but managed only eight before Sonny Baker induced a miscue, with Sam Curran taking the catch.

Babar Azam and Saad Baig attempted to rebuild, adding 28 runs before Will Jacks bowled Babar for 34. Adil Rashid then removed Salman Ali Agha for 16, leaving Pakistan at 81-4.

Saad and Hasan resisted the pressure, adding 52 for the fifth wicket. Saad struck 35 from 54 deliveries before Atkinson returned to dismiss him, with Curran completing the catch in the deep.

How did Hasan and Arafat transform the innings?

With Pakistan struggling at 133-5 in the 28th over, Hasan and Arafat combined to change the direction of the contest.

Their 78-run partnership from 74 balls restored momentum and gave Pakistan a platform for a strong finish.

Hasan mixed calculated aggression with fluent strokeplay, reaching his half-century before attacking England’s spinners and seamers. His innings included five fours and four sixes, but his resistance ended at 79 from 74 balls when Jamie Overton’s yorker struck his stumps in the 40th over.

Arafat continued to build his innings, finding gaps through the off-side and clearing the boundary against England’s pace attack. The left-hander reached 59 from 58 deliveries, striking nine fours, before Baker dismissed him in the 48th over.

How did Faheem and Shaheen finish Pakistan’s recovery?

Faheem Ashraf provided the decisive late acceleration, joining Arafat in a 72-run seventh-wicket stand from just 49 deliveries.

The all-rounder attacked from the outset, combining elegant drives with powerful shots over the boundary. His 39 from 26 balls featured five fours and a six before Curran ended his innings in the 49th over.

Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi added the finishing touches, scoring 10 from five deliveries to push Pakistan beyond 300.

After their early collapse, Pakistan’s recovery was built on Hasan’s counterattack, Arafat’s composure and Faheem’s explosive contribution, leaving England with a target of 303.