Sarfraz century lifts Pakistan to 251

Pakistan 251 (Sarfraz 105, Imad 63, Woakes 3-42, Wood 3-46) v EnglandLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details

The second century of Sarfraz Ahmed’s ODI career has helped Pakistan to something approaching a competitive score at Lord’s.

Sarfraz, who also made a half-century in the first ODI in Southampton, came to the crease with his side reeling on 2 for 3 after 19 deliveries. But with a calm head, some deft placement and a lot of excellent running between the wickets, Sarfraz gave his bowlers something to defend, though England will be much the happier of the sides at the halfway stage of the game.

It was Sarfraz’s highest ODI score – overtaking his unbeaten 101 against Ireland at Adelaide during the 2015 World Cup – and the highest score made by a Pakistan wicketkeeper in an ODI in England. It was also the first century by a Pakistan batsman in an ODI at Lord’s. The previous highest was 88, made by Mohammad Yousuf against Australia in 2004.

Pakistan never fully recovered from their wretched start. Electing to bat on a green surface – a decision that pleased Eoin Morgan, the England captain, who admitted he would have chosen to bowl first anyway – Pakistan’s first three batsman could only manage one run between them.

If Sami Aslam could count himself slightly unfortunate to be given out caught behind down the leg side – the on-field umpire, Marais Erasmus, originally gave him not out, but the TV umpire, Simon Fry overruled on the basis of a spike in the snickometer even though there was no hot-spot – the other two batsmen …

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