Winning the toss in Cardiff and opting to bat first, Pakistan suffered an early loss when Fakhar Zaman was caught by Eoin Morgan off Tom Curran at the end of the second over. Then Imam ul-Haq was caught behind off Jofra Archer. However, Babar Azam and Haris Sohail shared a stand of 103 for the third wicket, before both fell in the space of three balls. First Sohail was caught by David Willey off Archer for 50, having struck a six and 5 fours. Then Babar was run out by Archer off his own bowling for 65, with 3 sixes and 5 fours to his name.
Asif Ali was run out by Chris Jordan, but Imad Wasim and Faheem Ashraf added 26, until Faheem fell to Jordan in the last over for 16, leaving Wasim 18 not out, as Pakistan closed on 173 – 6.
Archer was the pick of the England bowlers with 2 for 29, whilst Curran finished with 1 for 28. Jordan was the other wicket taker.
In reply, England lost Ben Duckett early, caught by Wasim off the bowling of Shaheen Afridi for 9. James Vince and Joe Root then put on 45 before Vince, who had hit one six, was caught behind, with Wasim the bowler, having scored 36.
England’s reliable partnership of Joe Root and Eoin Morgan then combined as the pair put on 65, before Root fell to the bowling of Hasan Ali for 47.He had 5 fours to his name. However, Morgan and Joe Denly calmed any England nerves with an unbeaten stand of 44 for the fourth wicket, which saw England reach their target with 4 balls to spare.
Denly was 20 not out, scored off 12 balls and including one six. For his part Morgan was undefeated on 57, which featured 3 sixes and 5 fours.
The three Pakistan wicket takers were Wasim, Afridi and Hasan.
Captain Morgan fittingly won the man of the match award as England showed their prowess against determined opponents.