One-day international tri-series, Rawalpindi
Pakistan 302-9 (50 overs): Baker 3-65; Nawaz 79 (74), Arafat 59 (58)
England 215 (38.4 overs): Banton 57 (53), Arafat 6-40
Pakistan won by 87 runs
Scorecard
England began their wandering winter with a sloppy loss to Pakistan in the one-day tri-series in Rawalpindi.
In the opening match of five separate tours to four different countries on three continents, England’s mistakes opened the door for Pakistan’s Arafat Minhas to take advantage.
The all-rounder made a crucial 59 with the bat, then bamboozled England by taking 6-40 with his left-arm spin.
Asked to bat, Pakistan were 190-5 in the 37th over when diving wicketkeeper Jordan Cox put down Arafat on 12, one of three catches England dropped.
Arafat, alongside a powerful 79 from Hasan Nawaz, lifted Pakistan to 302-9.
Faced with making the second-highest score to win an ODI at the Rawalpindi Stadium, England made a rapid start to the chase, only for further errors to let Pakistan back in.
At 91-0, Ben Duckett top-edged a pull to depart for 45 and, crucially, Tom Banton was caught for 57 when he shovelled Arafat’s long hop to mid-wicket.
Arafat’s fine all-round performance continued with a beautiful delivery to bowl England captain Harry Brook for five and Naseem Shah got one to keep low to bowl Joe Root for 33.
When Cox was lbw and Jamie Overton holed out, both off Arafat, England were flawed. They spluttered to 215 all out, losing their last seven wickets for 50 runs, capped by a calamitous run out of Gus Atkinson.
Pakistan have two wins from two in the tri-series and are already on the brink of the final, while England next meet Sri Lanka at the same ground on Thursday, with both sides looking for their first victory.