Arafat Minhas' 59 & 6/40! Pakistan Crush England by 87 Runs in ODI Tri-Series 🔥
Pakistan produced a commanding performance against England in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series, winning by 87 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 20, 2026. The headline belonged to Arafat Minhas, who contributed a vital half-century before dismantling England's batting line-up with a sensational six-wicket haul.
Pakistan recovered from early batting setbacks to post 302/9 in 50 overs. England initially looked capable of mounting a challenge, but Minhas' remarkable spell helped bowl them out for 215 in 38.4 overs.
Arafat Minhas Delivers a Match-Winning All-Round Performance
Minhas was the standout performer of the match. With Pakistan in need of runs after losing wickets during the first half of their innings, the left-handed batter scored 59 off 58 balls, striking nine fours.
He then produced an even more devastating performance with the ball. Minhas claimed 6/40 in 8.4 overs, breaking England's resistance and playing the decisive role in Pakistan's victory.
The performance was especially significant because Minhas made an impact in both innings. His batting helped Pakistan build a competitive total, while his bowling turned a promising England chase into a collapse.
Pakistan Recover to Post 302/9
England won the toss and elected to field. Pakistan suffered an immediate setback when Fakhar Zaman was dismissed on the first ball of the innings. Saim Ayub also fell during the powerplay, leaving Pakistan needing a recovery.
Babar Azam made 34, while Saad Baig contributed 35 to help stabilise the innings. However, Pakistan were still under pressure after losing wickets in the middle overs.
Hasan Nawaz changed the momentum with an attacking 79 off 74 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes. His partnership with Minhas added valuable stability and allowed Pakistan to accelerate late in the innings.
Faheem Ashraf then added a crucial 39 off 26 balls. His partnership with Minhas helped Pakistan collect important runs in the closing overs and push the total beyond 300.
Pakistan Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Hasan Nawaz | 79 | 74 |
| Arafat Minhas | 59 | 58 |
| Saad Baig | 35 | 54 |
| Babar Azam | 34 | 52 |
| Faheem Ashraf | 39 | 26 |
| Pakistan | 302/9 (50 overs) | |
Hasan Nawaz's 79 was Pakistan's highest individual score, while Minhas and Faheem Ashraf supplied the late acceleration. Pakistan scored 91 runs in the final ten overs to finish with a total that put England under pressure.
England Start Well but Lose Control
England began the chase positively through Tom Banton and Ben Duckett. Their opening partnership helped England reach 65 without loss after ten overs, and Banton continued to attack as the innings progressed.
England passed 150 and remained in contention, but Pakistan began taking important wickets. The dismissal of Harry Brook proved a key moment as Minhas broke through and put pressure on England's middle order.
From a promising position, England lost wickets rapidly. Minhas continued to strike, removing key batters and preventing any substantial recovery. England eventually slipped to 215 all out in 38.4 overs.
Minhas' Six-Wicket Haul Destroys England's Chase
Minhas finished with figures of 8.4 overs, no maidens, 40 runs and six wickets. His spell was the defining bowling performance of the match.
England had started with a strong opening stand and reached 165 for three before the innings unravelled. Minhas helped trigger the collapse, and Pakistan took advantage as the remaining batters struggled to stay at the crease.
The finish also showcased Minhas' all-round involvement: he was not only Pakistan's crucial middle-order contributor but also the bowler who delivered the decisive blows.
Match Summary: Pakistan vs England
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 302/9 | 50.0 |
| England | 215 all out | 38.4 |
Result: Pakistan won by 87 runs.
Pakistan's leading batter: Hasan Nawaz — 79 off 74 balls.
Pakistan's standout all-rounder: Arafat Minhas — 59 off 58 balls and 6/40 in 8.4 overs.
Other important contribution: Faheem Ashraf — 39 off 26 balls during Pakistan's late acceleration.
What This Win Means for Pakistan
The victory gives Pakistan a major boost in the ODI tri-series. Their recovery to 302/9 showed the value of contributions from the middle and lower order, while the bowling performance demonstrated how quickly a chase can change when wickets fall in clusters.
For Minhas, this was a statement performance: a half-century under pressure followed by six wickets. Hasan Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf also played important roles in ensuring Pakistan had enough runs to defend.