Pakistan will be looking for a consolation prize when they take on a weakened England side in the third and final ODI of their series in Birmingham on Tuesday, having already lost the first two matches.
Babar Azam's visitors were hoping for an easier time against a second, or even third, string England side missing the entire first-choice squad that was forced into quarantine before the series began following a Covid-19 outbreak within the camp.
But the hosts have proven to be more than adequate for the men in green. Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood wrecked Pakistan's batting in the first match, helping dismiss them for 141 and setting up a nine-wicket win.
The second match was a closer contest. Pakistan quick Hasan Ali picked up five wickets to rock the home team's line-up before fifties from Phil Salt and James Vince took the total to 247 at Lord's. That total proved to be enough as an all-round bowling performance secured a 52-run series clinching win.
That means there will be a lot riding on the final match of the series for both teams.
England's surprising dominance has not gone unnoticed, with regular captain Eoin Morgan applauding the youngsters.
After the win at Lord's, Morgan tweeted: "15 of the current squad in isolation. Buttler and Archer injured. What Ben Stokes and the team have achieved is incredible. Looking forward to watching the next game!"
For Lewis Gregory, who was player of the match in the second ODI after scoring 40 and taking three wickets, now is the time to enjoy the limelight.
"It's been really exciting. What's gone on isn't ideal but it has given us guys an opportunity to show what we're capable of. There's a lot of people watching," Gregory said.
"To say you've played for your country at the home of cricket is a special moment and the crowd was fantastic, they really got going after a day on the sauce!
"But this England one-day team is difficult to break into. The guys who are in there are difficult to get ahead of. All we can do is put in a performance and put our hands up when the chance comes.
"The world is very strange at the moment, injuries can be around the corner and Covid is around the corner. There could be plenty of opportunities."
For Pakistan, it is a simple case of putting up a better performance with the bat. Their struggles can be boiled down to one critical issue - the lack of runs from star batsmen Babar and Mohammed Rizwan. The captain made 0 and 19 while the wicketkeeper batsman has made 13 and five.
Their poor form has put extra burden on the fragile and untested middle and lower order, which has been greatly exploited by English bowlers.
A change in the XI is expected. The most enticing option will be left-arm spinner and batting all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, who has been in good form of late. Wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed could be a good addition to the team as well, adding stability to the batting line-up.
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA
Twenty20 International series
Thu Oct 26, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
Fri Oct 27, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
Sun Oct 29, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Tickets are available at www.q-tickets.com
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
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Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
