SOUTHAMPTON: Only 19 overs of play was possible but of those, and even though Pakistan had reached 80-2 in the first One-day International on a rain-shortened afternoon at The Oval, four overs proved were the most beneficial for England as everyone saw first hand just what Jofra Archer is capable of.

After the game was reduced to 41-overs-a-side, the 23-year-old Archer sent down 24 fiery deliveries and finished with 1 for 6, including two maidens, taking a step closer to what could be a dream World Cup berth.

On a damp day, England and Pakistan were robbed of the possibility of what could have proved to be a thrilling contest. But the good news heading into the second game is that although the conditions in Southampton are overcast, the chances of rain are bare minimum or next to none. Hence, expect a full game with some riveting contest from both teams.

By whatever little was seen on Tuesday should be positive indications for Pakistan with the form of left-handed Imam-ul-Haq sending out positive vibes to the dressing room. Against the movement in overcast conditions, the Pakistan opener fought hard to score 42 off 68 with five boundaries during his knock, and although the run-rate wasn’t the most promising, the batsman showed he is ready to fight it out there.

For England, of those 19 overs, barring Archer’s ruthless spell, Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes bowled proving lines at first, but just when they seemed to be settling into their rhythm, rain ruined their plans.

Saturday should lay the blueprint for the remaining three games for both sides, and also, most likely, the World Cup.

Meanwhile, England opener Jason Roy is set to be fit for the second ODI against Pakistan.

Roy missed the five-match series opener because of a back spasm.

All-rounder Moeen Ali, who sat out the first match with a rib problem, is also set to return.

England are using the series as preparation for this summer’s World Cup, with their final squad to be named on 21 May.

If Roy does miss out, Hampshire’s James Vince will once again deputise on his home ground. Vince, 28, was called into the squad for the matches against Pakistan after Alex Hales was removed after reportedly failing a test for recreational drugs.

Hales was named in England’s preliminary World Cup squad despite serving a 21-day ban, but was dropped after a meeting of senior players for what captain Eoin Morgan called “a complete breakdown in trust”.

Vince, who had been out of international cricket for more than a year before his recall, told BBC Sport: “The opportunity has come up and that was unexpected. As and when I do get another chance in this series, I’ll try to do as well as I can to push my case for the World Cup.”

The majority of Vince’s international career has come in the Test arena. The right-hander averages 24.90 in 13 matches and has developed a reputation for getting out in frustrating fashion after appearing to do the hard work of ‘getting in’.

In 22 Test innings, Vince has been dismissed in single figures on just six occasions, but has passed 50 only three times.

Late on Thursday, Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik rejoined the national team in England after a 10-day break owing to personal reasons.

The senior batsman, with 282 ODIs to his credit, will be available for selection for the second ODI.

The cricketer was granted a 10-day leave on April 29 but the Board did not give any reason for doing this.

Teams (from):

ENGLAND: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

PAKISTAN: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Amir, Asif Ali.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2019