Bairstow powers England to second consecutive win over Pakistan, Imam's 151 goes in vain

LONDON: Opener JM Bairstow’s heroics helped England thump Pakistan by 6 wickets in  the third One-day International here at Bristol on Tuesday.

England chased down a score of 360 runs with relative ease as they lost only four wickets in the process to take 2-0 lead with two to play in a five-match series. It is England´s second highest winning total batting second in an ODI.

Both openers JJ Roy and  JM Bairstow  provided England an impressive start as they contributed 159 runs for the first-wicket stand. 

Roy was sent packing by Faheem Ashraf at his individual score of 76 off 55 balls with the help of 8 fours and 4 sixes. After that, Bairstow and Root added 73  runs for the second-wicket partnership. Bairstow then lost his wicket at his individual score of 128, when England  were 234-2 in 28.4 overs.

 After being sent into bat by England captain Evoin Morgan, Pakistan could not make a good start as they lost two early wickets – Fakhar Zaman (2) and Babar Zaman (15). Imam-ul-Haq’s brilliant knock of 151 off 97 balls helped Pakistan to set a huge target of 359 for England 

Haris Sohail made a run-a-ball 41 before he was run out going for a sharp single by bowler Tom Curran kicking the ball onto the striker´s-end stumps.

Imam scored his sixth ODI century in his 27th limited overs match. It was his first against England.

The nephew of Pakistan great and selection chief Inzamam-ul-Haq, upped his tempo by driving left-arm quick David Willey for six.

Imam surpassed his previous ODI best of 128 against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo last year before he was bowled, giving himself room, by Curran.

The 23-year-old´s innings was the highest individual score by a Pakistan batsman against England in an ODI, surpassing the 138 made by Fakhar at Southampton.