Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas Hit Fifties As Pakistan Recover To Post 302 Against England

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan overcame a disastrous start to post a competitive 302 against England in the second match of the ODI tri-nation series on Tuesday, with Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas leading a spirited recovery through crucial half-centuries at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan go past 300 again on the back of sensational fifties from Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas 🏏

Over to the bowlers after the break ☄️

#BackTheBoysInGreen | #PAKvENG | #CricketKaJashan https://t.co/66kHPTj61Y

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2026

Pakistan lost three wickets for just 59 runs before Nawaz’s fluent 79 and Minhas’s impressive 59 helped the hosts rebuild their innings. Faheem Ashraf added a brisk 39 to provide a late boost, taking Pakistan beyond the 300-run mark despite England’s disciplined bowling.

Pakistan stumble after early blow

England made an immediate breakthrough when Gus Atkinson dismissed opener Fakhar Zaman off the first delivery of the innings, putting Pakistan under pressure from the outset.

Saim Ayub and Babar Azam attempted to steady the innings, but their 31-run partnership ended when Sonny Baker removed Saim for eight off six balls, including a boundary.

Babar became Pakistan’s third batter to fall after scoring 34 off 52 deliveries, with four boundaries, as Will Jacks struck to leave the hosts struggling at 59-3 in 14.2 overs.

Pakistan’s problems continued when Adil Rashid dismissed Salman Ali Agha for 16 off 19 balls. Salman, who had scored a century in the opening match, could not reproduce his previous performance.

Nawaz and Minhas lead Pakistan’s recovery

Saad Baig joined Nawaz at the crease, and the pair rebuilt the innings with a valuable 51-run stand. Saad contributed 35 off 54 deliveries, including five boundaries, before Atkinson claimed his second wicket to reduce Pakistan to 133-5 in 27.3 overs.

Hasan Nawaz – 79 (74).
Arafat Minhas – 59 (58).
Faheem Ashraf – 39 (26).

FROM 133/5 TO 302/9 – WHAT A COMEBACK BY PAKISTAN…!!! 🔥🥶 https://t.co/ktxQCVf4A3

— Abdullah (@Abdullahhhh_56) October 20, 2026

Nawaz continued to attack the England bowlers, bringing up his second consecutive ODI half-century with an assured display of strokeplay. Minhas provided equally important support as the pair pushed Pakistan beyond 200.

Their 78-run partnership ended when Jamie Overton bowled Nawaz for 79 off 74 deliveries, an innings featuring five boundaries and four sixes.

Minhas then joined Faheem Ashraf to keep the momentum going. The pair added a crucial 72 runs for the seventh wicket, with Faheem scoring a rapid 39 off 25 balls, including five boundaries and a six.

Minhas reached an impressive 59 off 58 deliveries, striking nine boundaries, before Baker dismissed him to leave Pakistan at 283-7 after 48 overs.

WELL PLAYED, HASSAN NAWAZ..!! 🫡

Runs – 79.
Balls – 74.
Fours – 5.
Sixes – 4.
Strike rate – 106.75

Stepped up under pressure and played a brilliant innings against England. 👏

#PAKvENG https://t.co/epqfqyJklC

— Rana Ahmad. (@AhmadRana056) October 20, 2026

England strike back in closing overs

England continued to take wickets in the final overs as Sam Curran dismissed Faheem, leaving Pakistan eight wickets down.

Captain Shaheen Afridi responded with consecutive boundaries after arriving at the crease, helping Pakistan move to 294-8 at the end of the 49th over.

Baker returned to bowl the final over and claimed his third wicket by dismissing Naseem Shah for one off three balls. Pakistan finished on 302-9, with Shaheen unbeaten on 10 and Haris Rauf on four.

Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Pakistan’s middle- and lower-order contributions ensured the hosts reached a challenging total after their early collapse.