James Vince's 102 helps England clinch ODI series sweep over Pakistan

Gulf Today Report

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s stunning knock of 158 was in vain as England’s second string side completed a record run (332) chase at Edgbaston to win by three wickets and clinch the three-match One-day International series 3-0.

Set a target of 332 for victory, James Vince smashed 11 boundaries en route to his maiden ODI century (102) which helped guide England home with two overs to spare as a sloppy Pakistan dropped catches and conceded runs through several misfields.

James Vince celebrates his century. Reuters 

Most of England's first-choice ODI lineup had to isolate after a COVID-19 outbreak just over a week ago following the Sri Lanka series, giving 30-year-old Vince another chance in the international arena.

Vince said scoring a hundred for his country "was one of my dreams growing up.” It took until his 50th innings across all formats in international cricket to reach the century milestone. "I don’t know when the next will be or if there will be another one," he said, "but that was without doubt one of the best days I’ve had.”

Earlier, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to field first against Pakistan on Tuesday.

Despite having to select a complete new squad after its entire team had to isolate after coronavirus outbreak within the team following the Lanka series, the world champions followed up a nine-wicket win over Pakistan in the first match with a convincing 52-run victory at Lord's in the second ODI.

Craig Overton bowls during the third ODI match. Reuters

Captain Stokes declaring the unchanged squad said after the toss, I've been very impressed with the new team. It's been a bizarre week but everyone has stood up; from players, management and backroom staff.

Pakistan also resisted making any changes in the team, with captain Babar Azam hoping for a morale-boosting win ahead of a three-match T20 series.

England was 165-5 in the 24th over before Vince shared a stand of 129 with Lewis Gregory (77) to accelerate the chase. Vince chipped Haris Rauf (4-65) to mid-off in the 43rd.

Craig Overton (18 not out) and Brydon Carse (12 not out) finished things off. Pakistan's innings was built around Babar's partnership of 179 with Mohammed Rizwan, who scored 74 from 58 balls.

Craig Overton celebrates at the end of the match. AFP

Babar reached three triple figures from 104 deliveries, getting there with two boundaries in three balls by pulling Carse (5-61) with authority and then middling a compact cut shot.

England broke up the partnership when Rizwan went after a leg-side bouncer from Carse but feathered a nick through to John Simpson.
Carse picked up two more late wickets as the visitors moved to 309-5.

Babar was on a career-best 150 when he survived a run out attempt in the 48th over, but Carse finally ended Babar’s entertaining stay, producing a rare mis-hit to Dawid Malan with four balls remaining in Pakistan's innings.

Carse and Saqid Mahmood (3-60) collected two wickets apiece in the last two overs as Pakistan slumped from 324-5 to 329-9 finished his 10 overs with two wickets in six deliveries.

Pakistan fans cheer their team during the third ODI match on Monday. AFP

Cricket fans had been encouraged to turn Edgbaston 'Blue for Bob' to raise funds for prostate cancer in memory of former England fast bowler Bob Willis, who died aged 70 from the disease in 2019.

Willis, who also captained England, spent much of his career at Edgbaston playing for county side Warwickshire and Stokes said: "It's a great day, remembering one of England and cricket's greats and raising awareness of prostate cancer."