In the second ODI tri-series match at Rawalpindi on October 20, 2026, Pakistan defeated England by 87 runs. After bowling England out for 215 in 38.4 overs after posting 302 for 9 in their 50 overs, Pakistan easily won.
The game’s best player was Arafat Minhas, who made a significant contribution with the bat and the ball. He returned figures of 6 for 40 in 8.4 overs, his best bowling performance in the format, after scoring his first ODI half-century of 59 off 58 balls. Because of his efforts, Minhas was named Player of the Match.
Hasan Nawaz, who scored 79 off 74 balls for his second ODI fifty, was also crucial to Pakistan’s total. After what seemed to be a difficult middle phase, the two lower-order contributions helped Pakistan reach a competitive total, and the partnership between Nawaz and Minhas turned out to be the cornerstone of Pakistan’s innings.
Minhas’ best bowling performance in ODI cricket is represented by his figures of 6 for 40. When the left-arm spinner made his ODI debut in May 2026, he made history by becoming the first bowler from Pakistan to take five wickets in the format. On October 20, he surpassed that previous effort with his haul against England, solidifying his rising reputation as one of Pakistan’s most promising limited-overs bowlers.
His batting contribution of 59 off 58 balls enhanced an already outstanding individual performance. In the same match that he achieved his career-best bowling figures, Minhas scored his first ODI half-century, earning him Player of the Match by a wide margin. His value to Pakistan as a true all-around option in the middle and lower order was highlighted by his performance.
How was the outcome influenced by England’s batting collapse?
In 38.4 overs, England was bowled out for 215, far short of Pakistan’s target of 303. England lost the chase despite a 91-run opening partnership between Tom Banton and Ben Duckett. Pakistan reached 302 for 9 despite being reeling at 133 for 5 in the 28th over of their innings due to a subpar performance in the field.
Also Read: Justin Langer Defends Smith and Warner Over Sandpapergate
With figures of 6 for 40, Minhas was the main destroyer with the ball, taking six of the ten wickets to fall. The batting innings contributions of Minhas and Nawaz contributed significantly to Pakistan’s total of 302 for 9, which was more than sufficient to secure the 87-run victory and maintain Pakistan’s campaign in the tri-series.
