END OF OVER:50 | 6 Runs | PAK: 361/7 (13 runs required, RR: 7.22)
- Hasan Ali4 (4b)
- Sarfaraz Ahmed41 (32b)
- Chris Woakes9-0-72-1
- Liam Plunkett9-0-64-2
7.40pm: Okay, it's been a blast, the sort of bass-heavy, 100 overs of carnage that we've come to expect from England ODIs. Valkerie's report should be your next port of call, to work out just where that game turned, and we'll be back for more with the third ODI on Tuesday. Until then, thanks for your comments, and stay classy. Bye!
7.30pm: Right, presentations time... Starting with Pakistan captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed: "I think it's hard to take, we were very close. I'm very proud of the team the way they batted, Fakhar Zaman, Babar, Asif Ali especially, will be good for the upcoming matches. Whatever the target is, we have to work hard, give credit to my batsmen, I'm very proud. T20 helps, when you need nine or ten, you know how to play these type of matches. Credit goes to Jos Buttler as well, the way he batted. Last ten over, our execution was not up to the mark, England bowled well, with their yorkers. We will aim to get better. We can take positives, like Fakhar, before the World Cup, definitely.
England captain Eoin Morgan: "We still believed, 370 is a tough score to chase down. Fakhar surprised us with how well he played, he had a day out. We need to work on some of our skills. But to post that score and defend it, it very pleasing. It was a belting wicket, with a short side and a wind blowing in. We drew a bit from playing in the Windies earlier this year. The wicket held up a bit from short of a length, we tried to take advantage of that. It was a day for the batters today, the bowlers fought a tough battle and we did well to get over the line. They delivered. We continued to take wickets, even when Pakistan dominated, the pressure was on the bowlers but they delivered and that was a good sign. [Buttler?] He's very good. I was in prime position today to see the whole innings and his freakish knocks seems to be getting closer and closer together, which a great sign for us going forwards. [Position?] He times his run really well, however long he has in. It's always open for discussion and today he was the difference."
Jos Buttler is Man of the Match for his 50-ball hundred: "Yeah, very special, great to have [his new daughter] here and delighted to play that way back in an England shirt. Fantastic game of cricket and delighted to come out the right side to start the summer. [Hitting at the end?] We've seen cricket develop a lot, everyone tries to expand their range, it's a huge part of the game trying to extend that last 15 overs. Start by building the partnership, guys set a platform and we bat deep so it allows us to try and push on. Just about trying to get as many as you can as fast as you can."
7.20pm: So near, so far. We've seen a grand total of 734 runs scored at the Ageas Bowl, but the scales in the end tipped England's way, as Pakistan could not find an imitation Jos Buttler-style stimulant at the death. Buttler was pretty much the difference, hitting as many sixes as Pakistan did combined, as England splurged 74 off their last five overs to take this game ultimately out of reach. Still, not many gave Pakistan an icicle's chance in Hell at halfway, so the spirited way in which they took this to the last few balls is a positive for their chances over the coming weeks. Fakhar Zaman was like a stately wrecking ball, picking off boundaries in between much scampering, Asif Ali showed the man in green how to light the blue touchpaper, and Sarfaraz kept on battling to the end. But while no one could die down Buttler at the death, David Willey, Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes (just about) held their nerve with the ball for England.
Drum roll...
14 from 2 (unless Woakes donates extras)
15 from 4 now
Nick: "Wow, that's 1388 runs today combining Ireland vs WI & Eng vs Pak ! Can Pakistan make it 1407 runs and win this contest?" Well, they need 17 more...
Chris Woakes is the man to bowl it, Hasan on strike
"I wonder if Stokes will get the last over...?" titters James De Lamber. Nope. Morgan's not playing
END OF OVER:49 | 8 Runs 1 Wkt | PAK: 355/7 (19 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 7.24, RRR: 19.00)
- Sarfaraz Ahmed40 (30b)
- Hasan Ali0 (0b)
- Liam Plunkett9-0-64-2
- David Willey10-0-57-2
"Is this Pakistan Highest Score while chasing?" It is that, Qaiser Abbas. And they still have a puncher's chance at the last...
Out strides Hasan Ali, Pakistan need 21 off seven
Faheem Ashraf c Stokes b Plunkett 3 (8m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 75.00