Alex Hales and Harry Brook starred as England chased down a reasonably strong score from Pakistan in Englands first cricket match in the country for 17 years, as the visitors got off to a flying start in this seven match Twenty20 series.
The hosts got off to a fine start, with the bat, posting 85 without loss, before Rashid took the vital opening wicket, bowling Babar (31). They were pegged back largely by some impressive bowling from Luke Wood, who took 3 for 24 from his 4 overs, finishing on 158/7 on a deadish wicket.
England in reply had the newly returned Alex Hales, back from his international exile, who posted a solid 53, looking disappointed not to be there at the end, after holing out with only 17 runs required. His partnership with the impressive 23-year-old Harry Brook was eye-catching, and Brook was unbeaten on 42 at the close, having played a mature knock featuring some special shots – at an amazing strike rate of 168.
Pakistan will be hoping to show more as some of their bigger names return later in the series; they will be disappointed not to have capitalised on what was a very strong start with the bat.
