END OF OVER:48 | 16 Runs | ENG: 252/6 | RR: 5.25
- Moeen Ali45 (48b)
- David Willey4 (8b)
- Azhar Ali3-0-27-0
- Hasan Ali10-0-53-1
10.06pm So, that is that for another day. Thanks for all your comments, have a read of Gnasher's reports from Headingley, and join us for the series finale in Cardiff on Sunday.
Jonny Bairstow is Man of the Match on his home ground. "Unfortunately Jos pulled out just before the toss so I had about 32 minutes to get ready. It's part and parcel of sport, it's why you do your preparation, and wait for an opportunity. I'd like to cement a place at some point in time, but with the strength in depth we've got, and the strength of the squad, we are getting better and better."
Eoin Morgan: "We did a fantastic job with the ball, a special mention for the spinners and the guys who came in, David Willey and Chris Jordan. The guys who scored the majority of the runs haven't batted in the series, Pakistan made early inroads but Stokes, Moeen and Jonny made matchwinning contributions. Jonny was outstanding but he's finding it hard to get into a winning side, which is a good problem for us."
Here is Azhar: "It was a bit more of a competitive game but again we were a few runs short. The wicket was turning but it was still a good pitch and we lost too many wickets. Irfan bowled well on his comeback but unfortunately his calf was cramping up. The bowlers fought hard but we couldn't break partnerships in that middle period. It is the same problem again, we are trying but it is not paying off. We need to keep focussing. I've made a couple of 80s but I need to go on big and make a big total for the team."
9.57pm Kanu: "Tough to choose the man of the match tonight ... Stokey ... or is it Ali ... or Alastair Cook (ha) ?" Moeen's all-round influence was crucial, but all shall be revealed short. And by AN Cook, I presume you mean Azhar Ali? The similarities aren't ... err ... dissimilar ...
9.50pm So, that is the end of that. England win by four wickets to seal a 4-0 series lead. The result wasn't in a great deal of doubt after Pakistan's sub-par total of 247 for 8, even though Mohammad Irfan's opening spell set the cat among the pigeons for a while. But Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali brought the game home in some style. Presentations to follow shortly.
Jack: "Fair enough with regards to the next world cup as well as the champions trophy next year, but that won't make them no.1. I'd like to see them dominating (or at least winning) bilateral away series in varying conditions to really prove their mettle and be classified as a great one day side." Agreed. Bangladesh and India next!
Azhar keeps himself going, he's in the zone
END OF OVER:47 | 5 Runs | ENG: 236/6 (12 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 5.02, RRR: 4.00)
- David Willey3 (7b)
- Moeen Ali30 (43b)
- Hasan Ali10-0-53-1
- Azhar Ali2-0-11-0
Jack: "Clearly this England team is better than the one which played the 2015 world cup and miles away from the team led by Cook, but I feel that they are even better than the world no. 1 Aussies at the moment. (or it seems that way because England are playing at home?)" They are a mighty outfield by anyone's reckoning. And with the next World Cup on home soil, that home advantage needn't be an issue ...
END OF OVER:46 | 4 Runs | ENG: 231/6 (17 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 5.02, RRR: 4.25)
- David Willey3 (4b)
- Moeen Ali25 (40b)
- Azhar Ali2-0-11-0
- Umar Gul10-1-39-1
ahmed : "Moeen ali not concede a boundary in full 10 overs and not hit a boundary after 36 balls if he got out is it will be a some sort a record " Good spot. A rarity indeed
Azhar backs himself to continue, and why not
END OF OVER:45 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | ENG: 227/6 (21 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 5.04, RRR: 4.20)
- Moeen Ali23 (37b)
- David Willey1 (1b)
- Umar Gul10-1-39-1
- Azhar Ali1-0-7-0
Hasan: "For all of brouhaha about pakistani fielding, they have affected more run outs and direct hits than eng. Poor running on eng's part or good ground fielding?" It's a fair point. Mind you, England's fielding has been the poorest part of their game, by a distance.