Pakistan turned a tense ODI into a statement win in Rawalpindi, hammering England by 87 runs in the second match of the tri-series on October 20, 2026. What looked like a tricky afternoon after a middle-order wobble became a showcase of composure, power and a breakout all-round display from Arafat Minhas.
Pakistan find a way to post 302
Batting first, Pakistan put up 302 for 9 in their 50 overs, a total that looked unlikely at one stage. The innings had stalled in the middle overs, but late resistance changed the momentum and gave the hosts a defendable target.
Hasan Nawaz led the recovery with a brisk 79 off 74 balls, making his second ODI fifty and keeping Pakistan alive when wickets kept tumbling around him. His innings provided the backbone of the chase-setting effort, while the lower-order support ensured Pakistan crossed 300.
Minhas adds value with the bat
Arafat Minhas chipped in with a crucial 59 off 58 balls, bringing up his maiden ODI half-century in the same match where he would later dominate with the ball. That dual contribution gave Pakistan exactly the balance they needed in a high-pressure contest.
The innings also underlined Pakistan’s growing depth. As one team source put it after the match, “When the middle order wobbles, players like Minhas can change the entire picture.”
England’s chase starts well, then unravels
England actually began their pursuit in promising fashion, with Tom Banton and Ben Duckett putting on 91 runs for the opening wicket. For a short while, the target looked within reach, and Pakistan were forced to defend under pressure.
But the chase collapsed once the first partnership was broken. England lost rhythm, wickets fell in clusters, and the innings never recovered enough to threaten the target seriously.
Pakistan’s bowlers strike at the right time
Minhas then completed the perfect all-round performance, ripping through England’s batting with career-best figures of 6 for 40 in 8.4 overs. He accounted for six of the ten wickets, turning a competitive chase into a one-sided finish.
England were eventually bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs, well short of the target of 303. The margin of defeat reflected not just the collapse, but also Pakistan’s control in the key phases of the game.
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 302/9 | 50 overs |
| England | 215 all out | 38.4 overs |
Arafat Minhas makes a major ODI statement
The result will be remembered most for Minhas’ breakout performance. His six-wicket haul bettered his previous best and confirmed the promise he showed on debut earlier in the year, when he became the first Pakistani bowler to take a five-wicket haul on ODI debut.
This time, he went even further. He combined batting composure with bowling quality in a way that few all-rounders can manage, and the Player of the Match award came almost as a formality.
Pakistan will take plenty of encouragement from the win. The team recovered from a shaky position with the bat, then found a match-winner who could decide the game twice over. That kind of flexibility can define a tri-series campaign.
Why this win matters for Pakistan
Beyond the scoreline, this was a confidence-building performance against a strong England side. Pakistan showed that even when the innings is disrupted, they have enough depth to post a competitive total and enough bowling firepower to defend it.
For Minhas, the night was even bigger. He now has a maiden ODI fifty and a career-best bowling return in the same game, a combination that can accelerate any young cricketer’s rise. It was the kind of performance that changes conversations and raises expectations.
With the tri-series moving forward, Pakistan have momentum. More importantly, they have a new all-round option whose form could become central to everything they do from here.
