Joe Root scored a measured 89 as England won the second Royal London ODI against Pakistan at Lord’s by four wickets.
Sarfraz Ahmed became the first Pakistan batsman to score a one-day century at the Home of Cricket but England’s pace attack sparkled – Mark Wood and Chris Woakes each picked up three wickets – to bowl visitors out for 251.
Liam Plunkett plucked an outstanding one-handed, diving catch out of the air at mid-off to add to two wickets before England eased to a comfortable victory when Woakes smashed a four with 15 balls remaining.
Captain Eoin Morgan struck a welcome 68 – a first half century in 12 innings – and his side now have the opportunity to clinch the series with victory in Nottingham on Tuesday.
After Pakistan captain Azhar Ali won the toss and decided to bat, Woakes struck in fortunate fashion in his first over whe a review determined that 20-year-old opener Sami Aslam, playing just his second ODI, had gloved one down the leg side to Jos Buttler.
Then Wood, in the next over, produced a beauty to clatter into Sharjeel Khan’s off stump for a duck. The rapid Durham man punched the air as the visitors were reduced to two for two in the third over.
That soon became two runs for three wickets as Woakes – his amazing 11-102 in the Test match at the famous old ground still fresh in the memory – dismissed Azhar. The ball shaped away perfectly from the skipper and he could only helplessly edge behind to gleeful Buttler.
New men Babar Azam and Sarfraz attacked from a perilous position, adding 64 from 63 balls, but Plunkett’s fast yorker dribbled through the former’s defences via bat/boot and he had to trudge off after 30 from 33 balls
In trouble again on 64 for four, Shoaib Malik hit 28 from 28 balls, including a big six off Moeen Ali, but he failed to score from the next seven balls he faced and edged a short ball from Wood through to Buttler.
Sarfraz continued to play with confidence and freedom, punching the air and dropping to his knees when his fine century from 130 balls arrived with a four off Plunkett. But the spiky wicketkeeper-batsman became Adil Rashid’s only victim the following over, picking out Alex Hales at deep midwicket with a slog sweep.
With seven overs left and the score on 202 for six, a flurry of activity involving hulking fast bowler Plunkett closed the innings. First Hasan Ali was out for a five-ball duck to the Yorkshireman, with Root claiming the catch despite a nasty-looking collision with Rashid who was scooting round with his eyes fixed on the ball.
Then Plunkett leapt like the proverbial salmon to take a breathtaking catch at cover to dismiss Wahab Riaz off the bowling of Woakes, who picked up a third scalp of an excellent display.
Imad Wasim, in striking Plunkett for six, four, four, hit his second ODI half century from 57 balls before Yasir Shah sent his first ball from Wood high in the air for Jason Roy to take a simple catch at cover.
Number 11 Mohammad Amir brought up the 250 with a slap over mid-off before being run out on the penultimate delivery of the innings by Woakes, leaving Imad unbeaten on 63. England will have been satisfied eating their lunch but Roy was back in the pavilion after just two balls, chasing one from Amir and playing on without scoring.
Root, run out on 61 at the Ageas Bowl, emerged in imperious form, striking three beautiful – one drive was picture perfect – boundaries. Hales reached 14 without looking entirely comfortable and was bowled by off spinner Imad aiming a big shot on the leg side.
With new partner Morgan, Root put on 112 for the third wicket with a pair of half centuries; Morgan’s 30thand Root’s 16thin ODI cricket.
After a delay to fix an issue with his contact lenses, skipper Morgan was bowled by Imad for 68. Root was accumulating runs but Ben Stokes arrived to up the tempo, targeting the members’ area with a maximum and forcing a pair of superb on-side fours.
But he fell for 42 from 30 balls aiming another big shot Hasan and Buttler only lasted five balls before being run out by Yasir’s direct hit. Moeen Ali cracked a couple of boundaries and running out of balls to reach his ninth ODI century, Root plopped a catch to Malik at mid-off from the bowling of Wahab 11 runs short of the milestone.
Woakes emerged to crunch the winning runs and put England in sight of the series win in Nottingham in three day’s time. England also now lead the Super Series 12-10 with the fifth and final ODI clash between the two nations in Cardiff on September 4. Tickets priced from £35 are available now here