Arafat Minhas delivered a remarkable all-round performance as Pakistan defeated England by 87 runs in their men’s ODI tri-series match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 20 October 2026. The 21-year-old left-handed batter scored 59 off 58 balls, his maiden ODI half-century, before taking six wickets for 40 runs to turn England’s chase into a collapse. His performance, supported by Hasan Nawaz’s 79, helped the hosts defend a target of 303.
Arafat Minhas Performance Against England Changes the Game
Arafat Minhas emerged as the central figure in Pakistan’s victory, making a decisive contribution with bat, ball and in the field. At 21, the left-arm spinner showed composure under pressure, first helping Pakistan recover from a difficult position and then breaking England’s batting momentum.
His innings of 59 from 58 deliveries included nine fours. Rather than allowing the pressure of lost wickets to dictate the innings, Minhas built a 78-run partnership with Hasan Nawaz for the sixth wicket and then added 72 for the seventh wicket with Faheem Ashraf.
His impact became even clearer during England’s chase. England had looked well placed, reaching 91 without loss, but Minhas struck at critical moments and repeatedly removed batters who might otherwise have guided the visitors towards the target.
He finished with figures of 6 for 40 from 8.4 overs, and his spell dismantled England’s middle and lower order. According to ESPNcricinfo’s commentary, he became only the third male cricketer from Pakistan to score a fifty and take a five-wicket haul in the same ODI.
Pakistan Recover After an Early Batting Setback
Pakistan’s innings did not begin as planned. England won the toss and elected to field, and Gus Atkinson dismissed Fakhar Zaman with the first ball of the match, caught by Joe Root at short midwicket. Saim Ayub was dismissed for eight, leaving Pakistan at 31 for two.
Babar Azam scored 34 and Saad Baig contributed 35. However, Pakistan continued to lose wickets and were reduced to 133 for five in the 28th over,
Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas supplied the recovery. Hasan made 79 from 74 balls, including five fours and four sixes, and his 78-run stand with Minhas steadied the innings. Hasan was bowled by Jamie Overton at 211 for six.
Minhas then continued alongside Faheem Ashraf, who added 39 from 26 balls. Their 72-run partnership for the seventh wicket helped Pakistan add 91 runs in the last 10 overs Pakistan finished on 302 for nine.
Arafat Minhas Takes Six Wickets as England Collapse
England began their chase positively. Ben Duckett and Tom Banton put on 91 for the first wicket, and the visitors appeared capable of chasing 303. Haris Rauf broke the stand by dismissing Duckett.
Banton continued to score freely, making 57 from 53 balls, until Minhas removed him. Minhas then bowled England captain Harry Brook for five. Naseem Shah bowled Joe Root for 33, and Rauf removed Sam Curran for 27.
Minhas finished the job with the lower order. He dismissed Jordan Cox and Jamie Overton, then removed Will Jacks and Adil Rashid off successive balls in the 39th over to go on a hat-trick. Two balls later, he ran out Gus Atkinson to seal the win.
England collapsed from 197 for five to 215 all out in 38.4 overs, losing five wickets for just 17 runs. Minhas’s contribution in batting, bowling and fielding was decisive.
Arafat Minhas produced an outstanding Performance
Arafat Minhas produced an outstanding all-round display to lead Pakistan to an 87-run victory over England in Rawalpindi. His 59-run innings helped rebuild Pakistan’s total, while his six-wicket haul transformed England’s promising chase into a defeat. With Hasan Nawaz also making a crucial contribution, Pakistan demonstrated the importance of resilience, partnerships and disciplined bowling. His longer-term impact will depend on how consistently he performs in future fixtures.
