Manchester, June 18: Mohammad Hafeez's one-day international best 69 was the cornerstone of Pakistan's two wicket victory, with four balls to spare, against England at Old Trafford here yesterday. The result put Pakistan 1-0 up in the three-match series and ensured Michael Vaughan's first international as England's one-day skipper got off to a losing start.
Pakistan roared on by their own fans, who made up the bulk of the capacity 18,000 crowd and invaded the pitch at the finish, were coasting to victory at 139 for two before they lost six wickets for 55 runs to set up an exciting finish.
Abdul Razzaq was 12 not out and Mohammad Sami whose inside out four off debutant Rikki Clarke, took Pakistan to within two runs of victory, was seven not out.
Hafeez dropped on 22 by Marcus Trescothick at mid-on, after he'd chipped paceman Andrew Flintoff, faced 112 balls including eight fours.
It was the 22-year-old's third fifty in 10 one-day internationals.
Earlier Pakistan restricted England, who won the toss in this day/night match, to a below par 204 for nine with off-spinner Shoaib Malik taking a one-day international best three for 26.
Lancashire quick James Anderson, 20, who claimed four for 29 in England's 112-run win when the teams last met, at the World Cup, in Cape Town in February, finished with three for 59 as Pakistan faltered in sight of victory.
Bureau Report