Nawaz and Minhas Fifties Lift Pakistan to 302 Against England

Pakistan set England a target of 303 in Rawalpindi after recovering from an early batting collapse to finish at 302 for 9 in the opening match of their ODI tri-series campaign on October 20, 2026. Hasan Nawaz scored a career-best 79, while Arafat Minhas contributed 59, helping the hosts build a competitive total through crucial middle- and lower-order partnerships. England's bowlers reduced Pakistan to 81 for 4 in the 19th over after captain Harry Brook elected to field.

However, missed catching opportunities allowed the home side to rebuild, with Nawaz and Minhas leading the recovery on a surface that offered favorable batting conditions. Nawaz and Saad Baig added 52 runs to stabilize the innings before Baig fell to Gus Atkinson. Nawaz reached his half-century from 46 deliveries and struck four of Pakistan's five sixes during his 74-ball innings.

His innings ended when Jamie Overton bowled him with a yorker. Nawaz's 79 represented a new career high in one-day internationals, strengthening Pakistan's position after their top order struggled against England's pace and spin attack.

Minhas then combined with Faheem Ashraf to accelerate the scoring. Their 72-run partnership came from 49 deliveries, with Ashraf contributing 39 as Pakistan recovered lost momentum during the closing overs. Minhas reached his first international half-century from 53 deliveries with a cover drive against Sonny Baker. The 21-year-old had survived several dropped catches before Baker dismissed him, finishing with career-best figures of 3 for 65.

England made an immediate breakthrough when Joe Root caught Fakhar Zaman off Atkinson from the first delivery of the match. Baker subsequently dismissed Saim Ayub, while Will Jacks removed Babar Azam after troubling the right-handed batter with his off-spin. Salman Agha, who had scored 107 against Sri Lanka two days earlier, managed only 16 before sending a sweep toward Atkinson at wide fine leg. Rashid had returned to the England attack after missing the home series against Sri Lanka because of a hand injury.

England's fielding errors proved costly during Pakistan's recovery. Gus Atkinson dropped Nawaz on 28, while Minhas received multiple reprieves, including a missed chance involving wicketkeeper Jordan Cox off Sam Curran's bowling. Curran eventually dismissed Ashraf, who was caught at deep midwicket, before Baker added another wicket by having Naseem Shah caught.

Curran had returned to the playing XI after recovering from a groin injury that had ruled him out of the end of the English summer. Pakistan entered the match after defeating Sri Lanka at the same ground on Sunday. England, meanwhile, arrived following a 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka, but now face a chase of 303, a total they had not successfully reached in an ODI since June 2025, according to the source report.