KARACHI: England took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the one-day series against Pakistan after winning the fourth match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, by three wickets on Friday.

England overwhelmed a daunting target of 341 thanks to electrifying knocks by opener Jason Roy (114) and Ben Stokes (71 not out).

Earlier Pakistan were unable to cash in on Babar Azam’s century as they were restricted to 340 for seven after being 178 for one in 30 overs..

The innings fell apart after a century stand between Babar (115) and Mohammad Hafeez (59).

It seemed from the outset of the England innings that the visitors were short of a competitive total since England have broken the record twice for the highest ODI total in three years at Trent Bridge. Their 481 for six last year against Australia followed 444 for three against Pakistan in 2016.

Pakistan got a scare early in their innings when Imam-ul-Haq retired hurt on three after missing an attempted pull off a 140 kph ball from fast bowler Mark Wood which struck him on the elbow.

But worries over whether the left-handed opener would be fit for the World Cup eased after he returned to resume his innings at the fall of the seventh wicket, finishing on six not out.

Babar and Fakhar Zamam set about an England attack featuring two genuine fast bowlers in the recalled duo of Wood and Jofra Archer.

Babar uppercut Archer for an audacious six. Left-handed Fakhar hoisted Wood high over the boundary at deep square leg.

Babar’s fifty came off 49 balls while Fakhar’s off 44.

But Fakhar fell for 57 when, trying to drive Curran through the covers, he sliced the ball to Wood at third man.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2019