England crumbled to an 87-run defeat in their ODI tri-series opener against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, as their batting malfunctioned badly after an excellent start.
England, who have won their last three bilateral ODI series, were cruising on 91-0 inside 15 overs in a chase of 303. They were then bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs, as home spinner Arafat Minhas backed up his maiden ODI half-century with figures of 6-40.
Arafat bowls Brook as England collapse
Visiting captain Harry Brook (5) fell to a beauty from Arafat. Openers Ben Duckett (47) and Tom Banton (47) had failed to build on their rollicking opening stand against a Pakistan side who rallied from 81-4 earlier in the day after being put in to bat.
The tourists then wilted once the hosts broke a patient stand of 31 from 57 balls between Joe Root (33) and Sam Curran (27), with England on 128-3.
Arafat then went on a hat-trick after he removed Will Jacks (19) and Adil Rashid (1) with successive deliveries in the 39th over. Two balls later, he ran out Gus Atkinson (7) to clinch victory.
What’s next for England
England are back in action against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Thursday (9am UK). In the tournament, the three sides play each other twice before the top two teams in the table meet in a final in Lahore on Saturday October 31.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the first game of the tournament on Sunday.
ODI tri-series results and schedule
All times are UK and Ireland.
October 18: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs (Rawalpindi)
October 20: Pakistan beat England by 87 runs (Rawalpindi)
October 22 (9am): Sri Lanka vs England (Rawalpindi)
October 25 (8am): Pakistan vs England (Lahore)
October 27 (8am): Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Lahore)
October 29 (8am): Sri Lanka vs England (Lahore)
October 31 (8am): Final (Lahore)