Opening ODI between England and Pakistan abandoned due to rain

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Constant rain ensured the first ODI between England and Pakistan was abandoned.

A total of 19 overs were bowled in the match with rain providing both a delayed start and constant interruptions to Pakistan’s innings.

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Eoin Morgan won the toss and elected to bowl, and opening proceedings were dominated by Jofra Archer, playing just his second ODI for England. The fast bowler proved near unplayable in his first two overs; he found the edge of Fakhar Zaman to remove him for three and began his day with two maidens.

At the other end, Chris Woakes was also economical as England’s opening bowlers made life difficult for the Pakistani top order. After nine overs, Pakistan were 27/1.

 

The arrival of Liam Plunkett saw some respite for Pakistan with Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam both finding the fence against the 34-year-old seamer. Plunked managed to hold his own, however, removing Babar (16) as an outside-edge from the right-hander’s bat carried behind to Jos Buttler.

The first rain interruption arrived in the 17th over, and while play did resume, it did so for only a few more overs. A missed stumping by Buttler off an Adil Rashid googly to Haris Sohail would be the last bit of action as the match was eventually called off.