Arafat Minhas was the match’s top performer, making significant contributions with both bat and ball. He struck 59 off 58 balls, his first ODI half-century, before returning figures of 6 for 40 in 8.4 overs, his greatest bowling performance in the competition. Minhas was selected Player of the Match for his contributions.
Pakistan defeated England by 87 runs in the second ODI tri-series encounter on October 20, 2026, in Rawalpindi. Pakistan scored 302 for 9 in their 50 overs before bowling England out for 215 in 38.4 overs to earn a comfortable victory.
Hasan Nawaz also contributed significantly to Pakistan’s score, batting 79 off 74 balls for his second ODI fifty. The two lower-order contributions helped Pakistan reach a competitive total after what appeared to be a difficult middle phase, and the partnership between Nawaz and Minhas proved to be the basis upon which Pakistan’s innings was constructed.
What significance did Arafat Minhas’ bowling performance have on his ODI career?
Arafat Minhas ‘ bowling figures of 6 for 40 are his best in ODI cricket. The left-arm spinner had already made an impression on his ODI debut in May 2026, being the first Pakistani bowler to capture five wickets on debut in the format. His total against England on October 20 eclipsed his previous best and reaffirmed his developing reputation as one of Pakistan’s most promising limited-overs bowlers.
His batting contribution of 59 off 58 balls gave depth to an already outstanding individual performance. Arafat Minhas scored his first ODI half-century in the same match as he posted his career-best bowling stats, earning him the Player of the Match award by a wide majority. His performance demonstrated his significance to Pakistan as a genuine all-rounder in the middle and lower order.
How did England’s batting meltdown affect the outcome?
England were dismissed for 215 in 38.4 overs, considerably short of Pakistan’s target of 303. Despite a 91-run opening stand between Tom Banton and Ben Duckett, England lost momentum in the chase when a poor fielding performance allowed Pakistan to reach 302 for 9 despite being 133 for 5 in the 28th over of their innings.
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Minhas was the most destructive bowler, taking six of the ten wickets and finished with 6 for 40. Pakistan’s score of 302 for 9, which included significant contributions from Minhas and Nawaz in the batting innings, was more than enough to secure the 87-run victory and keep Pakistan’s tri-series campaign on track.
Arav Sharma is a passionate cricket writer who covers the game with a focus on match previews, cricket articles, player performances, and match predictions. He enjoys analyzing teams, players, recent form, and key match factors to provide engaging and easy-to-understand cricket content for fans.
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