Pakistan defeated England by 87 runs in the second match of the Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka tri-nation ODI series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Young all-rounder Arafat Minhas delivered a decisive performance, scoring 59 runs before taking six wickets for 40 runs as England were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs. The victory gave Pakistan two wins from two matches and marked their biggest ODI victory over England by runs since 2005, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Pakistan Recover from Early Wickets to Post 302
Pakistan’s innings did not begin smoothly after England won the toss and elected to field. Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for a duck from the first ball, while Saim Ayub made eight runs before departing. Babar Azam contributed 34, and Saad Baig added 35, but Pakistan were reduced to 81 for four and needed a substantial partnership to rebuild their innings.
Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas supplied the momentum Pakistan required. Hasan scored 79 from 74 balls, including five fours and four sixes, while Minhas made 59 from 58 deliveries, striking nine fours. Their partnership helped transform a vulnerable position into a competitive total, with Pakistan eventually reaching 302 for nine in their allotted 50 overs
Faheem Ashraf provided another important contribution late in the innings, scoring 39 from 26 balls with five fours and a six. His aggressive finish helped Pakistan maintain their scoring rate above six runs per over and put pressure on England before the chase began.
The total was built through contributions from several batters rather than a single century. Hasan’s innings anchored the recovery, Minhas accelerated the scoring, and Faheem’s late runs added valuable momentum.
Arafat Minhas Dismantles England with Six Wickets
England began their pursuit confidently. Ben Duckett and Tom Banton put on 91 runs for the opening wicket, giving the visitors an early platform. Duckett scored 43, while Banton made 57, and England appeared well placed to challenge the target.
Pakistan’s bowlers then changed the course of the match. Minhas, a left-arm spinner playing only his fifth ODI, broke through England’s middle order and finished with six wickets for 40 runs. His spell was central to the collapse, as England slipped from 165 for three to 215 all out.
Harry Brook’s dismissal was particularly important because England needed their captain and middle-order batters to convert the promising start into a sustained chase. Joe Root made 33, but England could not establish another substantial partnership after the middle order came under pressure.
Minhas also contributed to the final wicket through a direct-hit run-out of Gus Atkinson, completing an outstanding all-round display. England lost their final seven wickets for only 50 runs, according to the Guardian’s match coverage.
The performance made Minhas the defining figure of the match: he helped rebuild Pakistan’s innings with the bat and then led the bowling attack when England threatened to take control.
What the Victory Means for Pakistan
The 87-run win strengthened Pakistan’s position in the tri-nation competition, taking them to two victories from their first two matches. The result also offered a strong response in the 50-over format, with the team demonstrating its ability to recover from early batting setbacks and defend a total through spin bowling and disciplined pressure.
For Pakistan, Minhas’s performance will be one of the major talking points ahead of the remaining fixtures. His 59 runs showed his ability to contribute lower down the order, while his six-wicket haul demonstrated how a spinner can influence an ODI when the opposition’s batters struggle to build partnerships.
Hasan Nawaz’s 79 was equally important to the foundation of the victory. Pakistan’s recovery from 81 for four illustrated the value of partnerships and the need for middle- and lower-order batters to deliver when the top order fails to provide a strong start.
England, meanwhile, will need to address their collapse after a promising opening partnership. Their batters reached a position from which a successful chase remained possible, but the loss of wickets in quick succession ended their challenge well before the 50-over limit.
Upcoming Matches in the Tri-Nation ODI Series
Pakistan are scheduled to face England again on 25 October at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, according to the PCB. England’s next match is against Sri Lanka on 22 October at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. These fixtures will be important as the teams continue their campaigns in the three-team series.
The rematch in Lahore will give England an opportunity to respond, while Pakistan will aim to carry their winning momentum forward. Minhas’s breakthrough performance has also given Pakistan an encouraging option as they look to combine batting depth with a varied bowling attack.
Pakistan’s 87-run victory over England in Rawalpindi was powered by Arafat Minhas’s exceptional all-round performance and a crucial 79 from Hasan Nawaz. After recovering from 81 for four to post 302 for nine, Pakistan used Minhas’s six-wicket spell to dismiss England for 215 in 38.4 overs. The result gave Pakistan consecutive wins in the tri-nation ODI series and highlighted the impact young players can make in international cricket.
For Pakistani fans, Minhas’s performance was the standout story of the match. Pakistan will now look to maintain their form in the remaining fixtures, while England must find a way to turn promising starts into complete batting performances.
