Azhar and Sarfraz lift Pakistan to 260 for 6

Pakistan 260 for 6 (Azhar 82, Sarfraz 55) v EnglandLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Azhar Ali’s highest ODI score since making a century against Zimbabwe in Lahore last May, and some effective scampering from Sarfraz Ahmed, lifted Pakistan to 260 for 6 in the first match of the Royal London ODI series at the Ageas Bowl. Adil Rashid picked up two wickets for England and Mark Wood made an encouraging return to the side, as the pace bowlers kept a tight rein on the Pakistan scoring at the death.

Pakistan had decided to make first use of an oatmeal-coloured surface, with Azhar perhaps hoping for some assistance later in the day for his spinners. The captain fell for 82, his first ODI half-century in 13 innings, and although he could not push on to three figures himself, he provided the top-order platform that Pakistan have so often lacked in recent encounters and glued the innings together for long enough to allow Sarfraz to lead the charge – although it never really materialised as the clouds swept in and the floodlights came on.

Azhar put on half-century stands with Babar Azam and Sarfraz, following a cagey opening in which Wood’s pace caught the eye, but after a 20-minute rain delay Pakistan lost their way during the last ten overs. Sarfraz and Shoaib Malik perished in identical fashion, chipping wastefully to mid-off, and Chris Woakes was particularly impressive as the southpaw allrounders Mohammad Nawaz and Imad Wasim struggled to raise the tempo.

From 199 for 4 after 40 overs, they could only manage to add a further 61 runs, giving them the lowest first-innings total in an ODI at the Ageas Bowl (from a full 50 overs) since England made 256 for 6 against Pakistan in 2010. …

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