LAHORE, 11 December 2005 — All-rounder Andrew Flintoff played a pivotal role in inspiring England to a 42-run victory against hosts Pakistan in the first One-Day International here yesterday. The visitors lead 1-0 in the five match series.
Ashes hero Flintoff, who was off-color during the recently concluded Test series between the two countries, returned to form just in time, scoring an unbeaten 72 to help his team amass an unassailable 327 for four and then went on to claim 3 for 73 as Pakistan were dismissed for 285 in 46.5 overs. He was ably supported by debutante Liam Plunkett, who captured 3 for 51. This was England’s first major win of the tour. Pakistan had earlier won the three-Test series by 2-0 with the second Test ending in a draw.
Marcus Trescothick, leading England in the absence of Micheal Vaughn, decided to bat first after winning the toss on a wicket that had very little for the bowlers. England top and middle order batted extremely well with Andrew Strauss (94), Kevin Pietersen (56) and Paul Collingwood (34) making match-winning contributions.
For Pakistan opener Salman Butt continued his brilliant Test form to score 67 while Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik also contributed half centuries but none could make a big score to help Pakistan chase their third highest one-day target.
Butt and Younis added 117 off just 106 balls for the second wicket to raise Pakistan’s hopes but a late order collapse saw Pakistan lose five wickets in the space of 23 runs off just 18 balls. Butt hit eight fours and a six in his 65-ball knock, while Younis’s 56-ball innings contained six boundaries and a six. Collingwood got England the prized scalp of the Pakistan skipper, who was caught behind for 13 that left the capacity crowd stunned. Yousuf and Malik added 83 runs for the fifth wicket but the required run-rate went up with every over. Earlier, England owed their highest one-day score in Pakistan to a solid knock by Strauss and Flintoff’s brisk 72.
Strauss, who was completely out of form scoring just 44 runs in two Tests against Pakistan, hit six boundaries and was involved in three key partnerships. Flintoff helped Strauss add 52 for the fourth wicket as both men dominated the bowlers.
