England draw series after nervy win
Chris Read has impressed since returning
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Sunday, 10, Sep 2006 07:36
Sajid Mahmood scored his highest one-day score for England to square the series 2-2 after a nervy three-wicket win over Pakistan at Edgbaston.
The fast bowler, whose parents hail from Pakistan, hit an unbeaten 22 to see the hosts pass their target of 155 with 19 overs remaining.
Mahmood, whose previous best was nine, put on a partnership of 37 with Michael Yardy (12 not out) as England clinched only their sixth win in their last 26 ODIs.
Skipper Andrew Strauss top scored with 35 while Kevin Pietersen hit a swashbuckling 34 which contained six boundaries.
Mahmood earlier took 2-24 as England took advantage of favourable conditions to limit Pakistan to 154-9 in their 50 overs.
But England's chase went from 49-2 to 118-7 before Mahmood and Yardy steadied the innings.
The tourist's, without paceman Shoaib Akhtar due to a knee injury, were led by Mohammad Asif (2-57), Abdul Razzaq (2-23), and Shahid Afridi (2-14).
After Strauss won the toss and chose to field, Jamie Dalrymple took 2-13 while Paul Collingwood finished with 2-23 as England took full control.
Jon Lewis continued his impressive form with 1-25 from ten overs while Michael Yardy took 1-22 as he aims to clinch his place for the Champions Trophy squad.
Vice-captain Younis Khan (44) was the only batsman to score more than 20 runs as the tourists failed to mount a significant partnership, with the second highest scorer being 24 from the extras column.
Their innings started well with Mohammad Hafeez (18) and the recalled Imran Farhat (15) putting on 43, which beat their previous highest opening partnership of the series of 12.
But their dismissals started a collapse with Pakistan slumping to 72-5, Collingwood taking the crucial wickets of captain Inzamam ul-Haq (two) and Abdul Razzaq for just five runs.
Big-hitting Shahid Afridi lasted just seven balls before being bowled by Lewis for two runs while Mahmood removed opener Hafeez and veteran Mohammad Yousuf (11).
Khan was the last man out after a loose shot was caught by Ed Joyce off Dalrymple with tailenders Mohammad Asif and Rana Naved surviving the remaining six overs.
England announce their squad for the Champions Trophy on Tuesday and open their campaign against hosts India on October 15th.