Pakistan vs England scorecard explained: ODI tri-series clash in Rawalpindi
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- England won the toss and chose to bowl first against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. The match is the second game of the ODI tri-series on October 20, 2026.
- Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in Sunday's opener. The three teams play each other twice, and the top two reach the final.
- The score was moving while the game was live. The last public update seen during writing showed Pakistan past 240 for 6 in the first innings.
England won the toss in Rawalpindi. They chose to bowl first against Pakistan. The match is the second game of the ODI tri-series in Pakistan.
An ODI is a one-day cricket match. Each team bats for 50 overs. This match was played on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
This explainer covers what happened, why it matters and what happens next. All match facts below come from the live coverage cited at the top of this page. The game was still in progress when this article was written.
What happened
Pakistan came into this match with a win behind them. They beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in Sunday's opening game, according to NDTV Sports. Sri Lanka is the third team in the tri-series.
The tri-series format is simple. Three teams play each other twice. The top two teams on the table go through to the final, according to Sky Sports.
Harry Brook is leading England on this tour. But England are not at full strength.
Jos Buttler is out with an injury. Jofra Archer is rested for this series, Sky Sports reported.
For Pakistan, this is the first meeting with England since their Test series in England. That series was played a few months ago.
That series was a stormy one. Pakistan made headlines for sacking seven players and two coaches during it, NDTV Sports reported.
England brought good one-day form into this game. They had won recent ODI series against India and Sri Lanka, NDTV reported. Pakistan, led by their strong bowling attack, wanted to take one more step toward the final.
A win in Rawalpindi would put Pakistan in a strong place. Two wins from two would nearly book their spot in the final.
The match was a day-night game at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. England's captain asked Pakistan to bat first. Babar Azam and Saim Ayub opened the batting for Pakistan.
England struck early. Sonny Baker removed Saim Ayub, with Sam Curran taking the catch. NDTV's live blog showed Pakistan at 31 for 2 in the 6th over.
Babar Azam looked steady. He reached 22 from 28 balls in the early part of the innings. England's new-ball pair of Gus Atkinson and Sonny Baker kept things tight.
By the 32nd over, Pakistan had moved to 161 for 5. Sports Now tracked the innings ball by ball.
Hasan Nawaz was the top scorer at that point. He was on 52 not out from 48 balls, with four fours and three sixes.
A six is the biggest single hit in cricket. The ball clears the boundary rope without bouncing. It is worth six runs.
Hasan Nawaz played the key knock for Pakistan in the middle overs. Adil Rashid and Jamie Overton were the bowlers trying to stop him. Overton had bowled 6 overs for 20 runs without a wicket at that stage.
Why it matters
The search wave around this match says a lot. Cricket fans in Britain are hunting for the scorecard. The series is being followed closely by fans of both teams.
For Pakistan, this tri-series is about momentum. They won the opener against Sri Lanka.
A win over England would give them two wins from two games. That would put one foot in the final.
For England, the stakes are different. This tour is the start of a new phase. Brook's team wants to carry their ODI wins into Pakistan.
A loss here would not end their series. But it would hand Pakistan the early edge.
The absence of Buttler and Archer also matters. England are testing their squad depth.
Young players like Sonny Baker get a chance to prove themselves. Baker's early wicket of Saim Ayub was a bright moment for England.
There is also the recent history between the two teams. The Test series in England was full of drama for Pakistan.
The sacking of seven players and two coaches was big news, according to NDTV. This white-ball series is a fresh start for the team.
Tri-series tournaments add extra pressure. With only three teams, every game counts.
There is no room for a slow start. Sri Lanka will be watching this result closely. They need points on the board too.
What happens next
The series goes on after this match. Each team plays the other two sides twice. The points table will take shape over the coming days.
If Pakistan won this match, they would sit on top with two wins. England and Sri Lanka would then fight for the second final spot.
If England won, the group would be wide open. All three teams would have one win each.
Cricket fans should keep an eye on the remaining group games. The final will be played between the top two teams at the end of the group stage.
For the latest score, live scorecards from outlets like Sky Sports and Cricinfo update ball by ball. This match was live when this article was written. The last public tracker seen during writing showed Pakistan at 248 for 6 after 44.3 overs in the first innings.
England's chase would follow in the second half of the day-night game. With Sam Curran in their side, England would back themselves to chase a target near 250.
The tri-series final is the prize. Both teams want to lift the trophy. The road to it runs through Rawalpindi.
Want more cricket context? Read our South Africa vs Australia second Test explainer and our guide to the ODI tri-series in Abu Dhabi.
Related stories
Why Is Altitude Sickness Worse for Some People?
Altitude sickness hits some people harder because of genetics, ascent speed, and prior history, not fitness level. Here is what raises risk
Why Do You Get Blisters When Hiking and How to Prevent Them
Friction plus moisture plus heat equals a blister. Learn why hiking breeds all three, and the boots, socks, and tape system that keeps
How to choose hiking boots for beginners: fit, features, and break-in
Beginners should buy for fit first: snug everywhere, tight nowhere, with a thumb's width at the toes. Here is how to size, test,