PAK vs ENG: Arafat Minhas All-Round Masterclass Blows Away England by 87 Runs

Nineteen-year-old all-rounder Arafat Minhas produced a career-defining performance on Tuesday afternoon in Rawalpindi, scoring a gritty half-century before tearing through England's middle order with six wickets. Pakistan climbed out of deep trouble at 133 for 5, riding a counter-attacking 79 from Hasan Nawaz and Minhas's 59 to post 302 for 9.
Chasing 303 on a surface offering variable bounce under lights, England looked threatening during a breezy 57 from Tom Banton. But once Minhas came into the attack with his left-arm spin, England completely lost the plot. The visitors lost eight wickets for 89 runs, folding for 215 in 38.4 overs to hand Pakistan a massive 87-run win.
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3 Key Match Takeaways: How Pakistan Crushed England in Rawalpindi
- Arafat Minhas stole the show: 59 runs off 58 deliveries followed by unbelievable bowling figures of 6 for 40 in 8.4 overs.
- Hasan Nawaz launched the rescue: Nawaz smashed 79 off 74 balls with four huge sixes, dragging Pakistan from 133 for 5 past the 200 mark.
- England collapsed against spin: Cruising at 126 for 2 in the 19th over, England crumbled against Minhas and Haris Rauf, getting bowled out inside 39 overs.
Hasan Nawaz and Minhas Pull Pakistan Out of Trouble
England captain Harry Brook won the toss and chose to bowl first, hoping to use early moisture.
It looked like the right call right away.
Pacer Sonny Baker had Fakhar Zaman caught for a first-ball duck, leaving Pakistan reeling on 0 for 1. Saim Ayub managed just 8 before falling cheaply. Babar Azam made 34 off 52 balls, trying to hold things together alongside wicketkeeper Saad Baig (35). But when Will Jacks bowled Babar and Gus Atkinson bounced out Baig, Pakistan sat in serious trouble at 133 for 5.
That brought Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas together.
The duo changed the game completely. Instead of defending, Nawaz went on the attack, clearing deep midwicket four times in a rapid 74-ball 79. Minhas rotated the strike with precision, hitting nine clean fours in his 59.
Faheem Ashraf chipped in with a brisk 39 off 26 balls near the end, helping Pakistan reach 302 for 9 in 50 overs. Sonny Baker finished with 3 for 65, but England let Pakistan off the hook during the middle overs.
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Minhas Six-Wicket Blitz Runs Through England Middle Order
Chasing 303, England made a fast start through Ben Duckett and Tom Banton.
The opening pair put up 62 inside eight overs, punishing loose deliveries. Haris Rauf got Duckett caught on 45, but Banton raced to a 53-ball 57 to keep England ahead of the asking rate. Naseem Shah bowled Joe Root for 33, but at 126 for 2, England still looked fully in control.
Then Shaheen Afridi handed the ball to Arafat Minhas, and everything changed.
Minhas had Banton caught at mid-off, then bowled England captain Harry Brook for 5. Two overs later, Minhas trapped Jordan Cox leg-before for 18. Rauf removed Sam Curran, before Minhas tore through the lower order. He removed Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, and clean bowled Sonny Baker to finish with 6 for 40. England folded for 215 in 38.4 overs.
Minhas picked up the Player of the Match trophy for his all-round heroics.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who won the 2nd ODI between Pakistan and England in Rawalpindi?
Pakistan beat England by 87 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to pick up their second straight win in the 2026 ODI Tri-Series.What were Arafat Minhas's stats in the PAK vs ENG match?
Arafat Minhas scored 59 runs off 58 balls with nine boundaries and recorded match figures of 6 for 40 in 8.4 overs.What was Pakistan's final score in their innings?
Pakistan scored 302 for 9 in their 50 overs after being put in to bat first by England.Who top-scored for England in the chase?
Tom Banton top-scored for England with 57 off 53 balls, followed by Ben Duckett's 45 off 46 deliveries.Who was named Player of the Match in the 2nd ODI?
Arafat Minhas won Player of the Match honors for his 59 runs and career-best six-wicket haul.When is the next match in the Pakistan Tri-Series?
The third match of the tri-series sees England take on Sri Lanka on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.Written by
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