The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday confirmed three players – Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan – have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Pakistan’s tour to England. The players were asymptomatic until they were tested for coronavirus in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

The PCB medical panel is in touch with Ali, Haris and Shadab and the trio have been advised to go into self-isolation immediately. Whereas, Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari were screened in Rawalpindi and the results have come negative. The duo will travel to Lahore on June 24.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-south-africa-announces-seven-coronavirus-cases-307776" hreflang="en">Cricket South Africa announces seven coronavirus cases</a>

All the other players and team officials, barring Cliffe Deacon, Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis, underwent coronavirus tests at their respective centres in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday. The results are expected to come on Tuesday.&nbsp;

On June 12, PCB had announced an extended 29-man squad for the three Tests against England slated to be played in August and September.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-womens-t20-world-cup-2020-most-watched-womens-cricket-event-in-history-307714" hreflang="en">ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 most-watched women's cricket event in history</a>

<h2>Pakistan 29-player squad for England tour:</h2>

Openers (4) – Abid Ali (Sindh, Lahore Qalandars), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi) and Shan Masood (Southern Punjab, Multan Sultans)

Middle-order batsmen (9) – Azhar Ali (captain) (Central Punjab), Babar Azam (Test vice-captain and T20I captain) (Central Punjab, Karachi Kings), Asad Shafiq (Sindh, Multan Sultans), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haider Ali (Northern, Peshawar Zalmi), Iftikhar Ahmad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Multan Sultans), Mohammad Hafeez (Southern Punjab, Lahore Qalandars) and Shoaib Malik (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi)

Wicketkeepers (2) - Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators)

Fast bowlers (10) – Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab, Islamabad United), Haris Rauf (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Imran Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab, Quetta Gladiators), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Sohail Khan (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Usman Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars) and Wahab Riaz (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi)

Spinners (4) – Imad Wasim (Northern, Karachi Kings), Kashif Bhatti (Sindh), Shadab Khan (Northern, Islamabad United) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi).

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday confirmed three players – Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan – have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Pakistan’s tour to England.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday confirmed three players – Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan – have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Pakistan’s tour to England. The players were asymptomatic until they were tested for coronavirus in Rawalpindi on Sunday. The PCB medical panel is in touch with Ali, Haris and Shadab and the trio have been advised to go into self-isolation immediately. Whereas, Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari were screened in Rawalpindi and the results have come negative. The duo will travel to Lahore on June 24. ALSO READ: Cricket South Africa announces seven coronavirus cases All the other players and team officials, barring Cliffe Deacon, Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis, underwent coronavirus tests at their respective centres in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday. The results are expected to come on Tuesday. On June 12, PCB had announced an extended 29-man squad for the three Tests against England slated to be played in August and September. ALSO READ: ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 most-watched women's cricket event in history Pakistan 29-player squad for England tour: Openers (4) – Abid Ali (Sindh, Lahore Qalandars), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi) and Shan Masood (Southern Punjab, Multan Sultans) Middle-order batsmen (9) – Azhar Ali (captain) (Central Punjab), Babar Azam (Test vice-captain and T20I captain) (Central Punjab, Karachi Kings), Asad Shafiq (Sindh, Multan Sultans), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haider Ali (Northern, Peshawar Zalmi), Iftikhar Ahmad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Multan Sultans), Mohammad Hafeez (Southern Punjab, Lahore Qalandars) and Shoaib Malik (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi) Wicketkeepers (2) - Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators) Fast bowlers (10) – Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab, Islamabad United), Haris Rauf (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Imran Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab, Quetta Gladiators), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Sohail Khan (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Usman Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars) and Wahab Riaz (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi) Spinners (4) – Imad Wasim (Northern, Karachi Kings), Kashif Bhatti (Sindh), Shadab Khan (Northern, Islamabad United) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi).

Pakistan's Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan tested COVID-19 positive ahead of England tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced a 29-man squad for three Tests and as many T20Is against England slated to be played in August-September. An extended squad has been sent by the PCB, including white-ball specialists, in accordance with series SOPs in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and will remain in England from start to end of the tour.&nbsp;

Highly rated Haider Ali has been named in the squad and it would be a perfect opportunity to hand a debut. Haider has been among runs in the ACC Emerging Teams Cup in Bangladesh, Quaid-e-Azam trophy and ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2020 before having a blistering campaign for Peshawar Zalmi in Pakistan Super League 2020.

Sohail Khan, who last played a Test for Pakistan in 2016, has also be named in the extended squad after impressive performances in the domestic circuit.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/england-vs-pakistan-mohammad-amir-haris-sohail-pull-out-of-tour-citing-personal-reasons-305183" hreflang="en">England vs Pakistan: Mohammad Amir, Haris Sohail pull out of tour citing personal reasons</a>

The Pakistan selection committee further named the likes of Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Imran Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz.

Bilal Asif, Imran Butt, Musa Khan and Mohammad Nawaz have been named as four reserves in case any of the players fail pre-tour COVID-19 tests, which will be carried out on June 20 and 25.&nbsp; 
Both Mohammad Amir and Haris Sohail have pulled out of the England tour citing personal reasons.

<h2>Pakistan 29-player squad for England tour:</h2>

Openers (4) – Abid Ali (Sindh, Lahore Qalandars), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi) and Shan Masood (Southern Punjab, Multan Sultans)

Middle-order batsmen (9) – Azhar Ali (captain) (Central Punjab), Babar Azam (Test vice-captain and T20I captain) (Central Punjab, Karachi Kings), Asad Shafiq (Sindh, Multan Sultans), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haider Ali (Northern, Peshawar Zalmi), Iftikhar Ahmad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Multan Sultans), Mohammad Hafeez (Southern Punjab, Lahore Qalandars) and Shoaib Malik (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi)

Wicketkeepers (2) - Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators)

Fast bowlers (10) – Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab, Islamabad United), Haris Rauf (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Imran Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab, Quetta Gladiators), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Sohail Khan (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Usman Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars) and Wahab Riaz (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi)

Spinners (4) – Imad Wasim (Northern, Karachi Kings), Kashif Bhatti (Sindh), Shadab Khan (Northern, Islamabad United) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi).

Commenting on the squad, chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said: “The selectors have picked a squad which gives us the best chance of success in England. It was a challenging process as the players have not played for an extended period of time, but nevertheless, with the month that we will have in England and the intense training we will undergo, we are confident we will get the players up to the mark to be ready for the three Tests.

“But the main focus of the selectors has been red-ball cricket, which we will play for nearly two months with the T20Is to be played at the backend of the ICC World Test Championship fixtures.

“The series against England will be challenging as our players have not played any competitive cricket since March, while the home team will come following a series against the West Indies. This means we will have to hit the ground running as soon as we land in England and make the best use of the training sessions and match practice before we enter the first Test.

“The players have also been selected with one eye on the future. I want these players to acquire as much cricket knowledge as possible from the additional backroom staff of Mushtaq Ahmed and Younis Khan that can help them post the England tour.

“Sohail Khan has been recalled to further strengthen our fast bowling department. He had two five-fors when he last played in England in 2016. The selectors also felt he bowled much better in the 2019-20 domestic season than his figures reflected.”

Officials:

Misbah-ul-Haq – Head Coach

Shahid Aslam – Assistant to Head Coach

Waqar Younis - &nbsp;Bowling Coach

Abdul Majeed – Fielding Coach

Yasir Malik – Strength and Conditioning Coach

Talha Butt – Team Analyst

Cliffe Deacon – Physiotherapist

Malang Ali – Masseur

Mansoor Rana – Team Manager

Col Usman Riffat Anwari (retd) – Team Security Manager

Raza Rashid – Team Media Manager

Additional team management:

Younis Khan – Batting Coach for England tour

Mushtaq Ahmed – Spin bowling coach for England tour

Dr Sohail Saleem – Team Doctor for England tour 
&nbsp;

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced a 29-man squad for three Tests and as many T20Is against England slated to be played in August-September. An extended squad has been sent by the PCB, including white-ball specialists, in accordance with series SOPs in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and will remain in England from start to end of the tour.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced a 29-man squad for three Tests and as many T20Is against England slated to be played in August-September. An extended squad has been sent by the PCB, including white-ball specialists, in accordance with series SOPs in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and will remain in England from start to end of the tour. Highly rated Haider Ali has been named in the squad and it would be a perfect opportunity to hand a debut. Haider has been among runs in the ACC Emerging Teams Cup in Bangladesh, Quaid-e-Azam trophy and ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2020 before having a blistering campaign for Peshawar Zalmi in Pakistan Super League 2020. Sohail Khan, who last played a Test for Pakistan in 2016, has also be named in the extended squad after impressive performances in the domestic circuit. ALSO READ: England vs Pakistan: Mohammad Amir, Haris Sohail pull out of tour citing personal reasons The Pakistan selection committee further named the likes of Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Imran Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz. Bilal Asif, Imran Butt, Musa Khan and Mohammad Nawaz have been named as four reserves in case any of the players fail pre-tour COVID-19 tests, which will be carried out on June 20 and 25. Both Mohammad Amir and Haris Sohail have pulled out of the England tour citing personal reasons. Pakistan 29-player squad for England tour: Openers (4) – Abid Ali (Sindh, Lahore Qalandars), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi) and Shan Masood (Southern Punjab, Multan Sultans) Middle-order batsmen (9) – Azhar Ali (captain) (Central Punjab), Babar Azam (Test vice-captain and T20I captain) (Central Punjab, Karachi Kings), Asad Shafiq (Sindh, Multan Sultans), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haider Ali (Northern, Peshawar Zalmi), Iftikhar Ahmad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings), Khushdil Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Multan Sultans), Mohammad Hafeez (Southern Punjab, Lahore Qalandars) and Shoaib Malik (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi) Wicketkeepers (2) - Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi Kings) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators) Fast bowlers (10) – Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab, Islamabad United), Haris Rauf (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Imran Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab, Quetta Gladiators), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern, Lahore Qalandars), Sohail Khan (Sindh, Quetta Gladiators), Usman Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars) and Wahab Riaz (Southern Punjab, Peshawar Zalmi) Spinners (4) – Imad Wasim (Northern, Karachi Kings), Kashif Bhatti (Sindh), Shadab Khan (Northern, Islamabad United) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi). Commenting on the squad, chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said: “The selectors have picked a squad which gives us the best chance of success in England. It was a challenging process as the players have not played for an extended period of time, but nevertheless, with the month that we will have in England and the intense training we will undergo, we are confident we will get the players up to the mark to be ready for the three Tests. “But the main focus of the selectors has been red-ball cricket, which we will play for nearly two months with the T20Is to be played at the backend of the ICC World Test Championship fixtures. “The series against England will be challenging as our players have not played any competitive cricket since March, while the home team will come following a series against the West Indies. This means we will have to hit the ground running as soon as we land in England and make the best use of the training sessions and match practice before we enter the first Test. “The players have also been selected with one eye on the future. I want these players to acquire as much cricket knowledge as possible from the additional backroom staff of Mushtaq Ahmed and Younis Khan that can help them post the England tour. “Sohail Khan has been recalled to further strengthen our fast bowling department. He had two five-fors when he last played in England in 2016. The selectors also felt he bowled much better in the 2019-20 domestic season than his figures reflected.” Officials: Misbah-ul-Haq – Head Coach Shahid Aslam – Assistant to Head Coach Waqar Younis - Bowling Coach Abdul Majeed – Fielding Coach Yasir Malik – Strength and Conditioning Coach Talha Butt – Team Analyst Cliffe Deacon – Physiotherapist Malang Ali – Masseur Mansoor Rana – Team Manager Col Usman Riffat Anwari (retd) – Team Security Manager Raza Rashid – Team Media Manager Additional team management: Younis Khan – Batting Coach for England tour Mushtaq Ahmed – Spin bowling coach for England tour Dr Sohail Saleem – Team Doctor for England tour

Pakistan announce 29-player extended squad for England tour, youngster Haider Ali's inclusion creates Buzz

With international cricket gearing up for resumption, England is set to host Pakistan for three Tests and as many T20Is in August and September following their home Test series against West Indies in July. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday confirmed that pacer Mohammad Amir and middle-order batsman Haris Sohail have pulled out of the England tour due to personal reasons.&nbsp;

While Amir has pulled out of the tour to be at the birth of his second child in August, Haris is set to miss the tour due to family reasons. The PCB further confirmed that it will send as many as 28 players for the tour supported by 14-member support staff for the three Tests and as many T20Is.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brijesh-patel-in-empty-stadiums-it-hardly-matters-if-ipl-is-held-in-india-or-overseas-305172" hreflang="en">Brijesh Patel: In empty stadiums, it hardly matters if IPL is held in India or overseas</a>

The Pakistan&nbsp;squad for the England tour and series schedule will be announced soon.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, England will host the West Indies for three-match Test series starting July 8. The Men from the Caribbean have already reached Manchester, UK and will complete their quarantine in the bio-secure bubble. No Windies players or staff have been tested positive thus far with good signs blessing the tour.&nbsp;

Earlier, three West Indies players in Shimron Hetmyer, Darren Bravo and Keemo Paul declined the invitation to be in the squad and travel for the England tour due to health fears. But with a strong squad, West Indies would be eying to replicate their campaign from the 2019 series where they victorious against the Englishmen.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/indias-tour-of-sri-lanka-called-off-due-to-covid-19-pandemic-305136" hreflang="en">India's tour of Sri Lanka called off due to COVID-19 pandemic</a>

Whereas, for Pakistan, it would be interesting to see who make the cut in the 28-man squad after Younis Khan was appointed batting coach of the team for the England tour. Pakistan would be looking to make a mark when they visit England for the Test and T20I series in August-September. 
&nbsp;

With international cricket gearing up for resumption, England is set to host Pakistan for three Tests and as many T20Is in August and September following their home Test series against West Indies in July.

With international cricket gearing up for resumption, England is set to host Pakistan for three Tests and as many T20Is in August and September following their home Test series against West Indies in July. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday confirmed that pacer Mohammad Amir and middle-order batsman Haris Sohail have pulled out of the England tour due to personal reasons. While Amir has pulled out of the tour to be at the birth of his second child in August, Haris is set to miss the tour due to family reasons. The PCB further confirmed that it will send as many as 28 players for the tour supported by 14-member support staff for the three Tests and as many T20Is. ALSO READ: Brijesh Patel: In empty stadiums, it hardly matters if IPL is held in India or overseas The Pakistan squad for the England tour and series schedule will be announced soon. Meanwhile, England will host the West Indies for three-match Test series starting July 8. The Men from the Caribbean have already reached Manchester, UK and will complete their quarantine in the bio-secure bubble. No Windies players or staff have been tested positive thus far with good signs blessing the tour. Earlier, three West Indies players in Shimron Hetmyer, Darren Bravo and Keemo Paul declined the invitation to be in the squad and travel for the England tour due to health fears. But with a strong squad, West Indies would be eying to replicate their campaign from the 2019 series where they victorious against the Englishmen. ALSO READ: India's tour of Sri Lanka called off due to COVID-19 pandemic Whereas, for Pakistan, it would be interesting to see who make the cut in the 28-man squad after Younis Khan was appointed batting coach of the team for the England tour. Pakistan would be looking to make a mark when they visit England for the Test and T20I series in August-September.

England vs Pakistan: Mohammad Amir, Haris Sohail pull out of tour citing personal reasons

Pakistan lived up to their 'unpredictable' billing by beating world number one <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pakistan-stun-england-by-14-runs-in-cricket-world-cup-224013">England in a World Cup match</a> on Monday, just three days after losing to world number eight West Indies in their first game of the tournament.

An aggressive Pakistan team turned up at Trent Bridge to deservedly beat pre-tournament favourites England by 14 runs.

It was in marked contrast to Pakistan's seven-wicket humiliation by the West Indies at the same venue on Friday.

Yet England, perhaps, should have seen it coming for all they beat Pakistan, who had lost their 11 previous completed one-day internationals, 4-0 in a recent series.

After all, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/englands-joe-root-scores-first-hundred-of-cricket-world-cup-2019-223998">2017 Champions Trophy in England</a> and Wales saw Pakistan start the tournament with a 124-run defeat by India only to thrash their arch-rivals by 180 runs in the final.

The lows and highs of Pakistan cricket were neatly summed by former England captain turned commentator Nasser Hussain.

"Pakistan cricket at its best, one minute down, next minute up," said Hussain when Azhar Ali dropped India captain and Virat Kohli off Mohammad Amir in the final and the very next ball Shadab Khan took a sharp catch to dismiss the star batsman.

Sent into bat by England on Monday, Pakistan posted their second highest World Cup total of 348 for eight, just one short of their score against Zimbabwe at Jamaica in the 2007 edition.

It was the complete opposite to the way they batted on Friday when they were shot out for 105 - their second-lowest World Cup total - by the West Indies pace trio of Oshane Thomas, Jason Holder and Andre Russell.

West Indies polished off the low target for the loss of just three wickets in a mere 13.4 overs, with Pakistan seemingly completely demoralised by the drubbing.

But amid a chorus of criticism from former players and fans back home, Pakistan roared back right from the start against England, scoring 69 without loss in the initial 10-over powerplay.

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed accepted his team could go from the inept to the inspiring in just a few days.

"That's the interesting thing about Pakistan, so I always say be patient with us," Sarfaraz told AFP after the match. "We told the players to show aggression against England and stage a strong comeback."

"I am happy that they did that," added Sarfaraz who made a valuable 55 in an innings where Mohammad Hafeez's 84 was the top score.

"The most important thing was to put a decent opening stand and once we did that we posted a good total and then the bowlers did very well," the wicket-keeper explained.

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said last month that he and his backroom team were fed up with the cliched description of the team's form swings.&nbsp;

"'Unpredictable' –- that's a word that us as coaching staff hate," Arthur said.

Pakistan's performances in their first two matches of this World Cup indicate, however, they may have to live with the tag for a while yet.

And Wasim Akram, a member of the Pakistan side that heeded the words of then captain and now prime minister Imran Khan to "fight like cornered tigers" as they came back from the brink of elimination to win the 1992 World Cup, suggested that perhaps they just ought to embrace it.

"Even I don't know why we are so unpredictable for so many years," the left-arm fast-bowling great said at Trent Bridge on Monday.

"But it's the beauty of Pakistan cricket and why people follow the team."

Pakistan lived up to their 'unpredictable' billing by beating world number one England in a World Cup match on Monday, just three days after losing to world number eight West Indies in their first game of the tournament.

Pakistan lived up to their 'unpredictable' billing by beating world number one England in a World Cup match on Monday, just three days after losing to world number eight West Indies in their first game of the tournament. An aggressive Pakistan team turned up at Trent Bridge to deservedly beat pre-tournament favourites England by 14 runs. It was in marked contrast to Pakistan's seven-wicket humiliation by the West Indies at the same venue on Friday. Yet England, perhaps, should have seen it coming for all they beat Pakistan, who had lost their 11 previous completed one-day internationals, 4-0 in a recent series. After all, the 2017 Champions Trophy in England and Wales saw Pakistan start the tournament with a 124-run defeat by India only to thrash their arch-rivals by 180 runs in the final. The lows and highs of Pakistan cricket were neatly summed by former England captain turned commentator Nasser Hussain. "Pakistan cricket at its best, one minute down, next minute up," said Hussain when Azhar Ali dropped India captain and Virat Kohli off Mohammad Amir in the final and the very next ball Shadab Khan took a sharp catch to dismiss the star batsman. Sent into bat by England on Monday, Pakistan posted their second highest World Cup total of 348 for eight, just one short of their score against Zimbabwe at Jamaica in the 2007 edition. It was the complete opposite to the way they batted on Friday when they were shot out for 105 - their second-lowest World Cup total - by the West Indies pace trio of Oshane Thomas, Jason Holder and Andre Russell. West Indies polished off the low target for the loss of just three wickets in a mere 13.4 overs, with Pakistan seemingly completely demoralised by the drubbing. But amid a chorus of criticism from former players and fans back home, Pakistan roared back right from the start against England, scoring 69 without loss in the initial 10-over powerplay. Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed accepted his team could go from the inept to the inspiring in just a few days. "That's the interesting thing about Pakistan, so I always say be patient with us," Sarfaraz told AFP after the match. "We told the players to show aggression against England and stage a strong comeback." "I am happy that they did that," added Sarfaraz who made a valuable 55 in an innings where Mohammad Hafeez's 84 was the top score. "The most important thing was to put a decent opening stand and once we did that we posted a good total and then the bowlers did very well," the wicket-keeper explained. Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said last month that he and his backroom team were fed up with the cliched description of the team's form swings. "'Unpredictable' –- that's a word that us as coaching staff hate," Arthur said. Pakistan's performances in their first two matches of this World Cup indicate, however, they may have to live with the tag for a while yet. And Wasim Akram, a member of the Pakistan side that heeded the words of then captain and now prime minister Imran Khan to "fight like cornered tigers" as they came back from the brink of elimination to win the 1992 World Cup, suggested that perhaps they just ought to embrace it. "Even I don't know why we are so unpredictable for so many years," the left-arm fast-bowling great said at Trent Bridge on Monday. "But it's the beauty of Pakistan cricket and why people follow the team."

Inept to inspiring: I always say be patient with us, says captain Sarfaraz after beating England

England's Joe Root has scored the first century of Cricket World Cup 2019 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/live-updates-cricket-world-cup-2019-match-6-england-vs-pakistan-223814">against Pakistan</a> while chasing the 349-run target on Monday at Trent Bridge.&nbsp;

The century was his 15th of his one-day international career that came in 97 balls, including nine fours and a six.&nbsp;

Root scored&nbsp;107 before losing his wicket to&nbsp;Shadab Khan when he was caught out by&nbsp;Mohammad Hafeez.&nbsp;

Although, he got a lifeline when was dropped&nbsp;on nine by diving slip Babar Azam off left-arm fast bowler Riaz.

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Finally, the first 💯 of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC19</a>! 
 
Joe Root brings up his century off 97 balls and becomes just the second Englishman to hit two World Cup hundreds. <a href="https://t.co/3UE3fblePr">pic.twitter.com/3UE3fblePr</a>
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketworldcup/status/1135587726273761280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Besides Root, Jos Buttler also scored a century in the same run chase.

Buttler scored 103 off 76 balls, before losing his wicket to&nbsp;Mohammad Amir.&nbsp;

England were chasing a target of 349, which would be the highest total by a team batting second to win a World Cup match were they to achieve it after Pakistan made 348 for eight.&nbsp;

England's Joe Root has scored the first century of Cricket World Cup 2019 against Pakistan while chasing the 349-run target on Monday at Trent Bridge. The century was his 15th of his one-day international career that came in 97 balls, including nine fours and a six.

England's Joe Root has scored the first century of Cricket World Cup 2019 against Pakistan while chasing the 349-run target on Monday at Trent Bridge. The century was his 15th of his one-day international career that came in 97 balls, including nine fours and a six. Root scored 107 before losing his wicket to Shadab Khan when he was caught out by Mohammad Hafeez. Although, he got a lifeline when was dropped on nine by diving slip Babar Azam off left-arm fast bowler Riaz. Finally, the first 💯 of #CWC19! Joe Root brings up his century off 97 balls and becomes just the second Englishman to hit two World Cup hundreds. pic.twitter.com/3UE3fblePr — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 3, 2019 × Besides Root, Jos Buttler also scored a century in the same run chase. Buttler scored 103 off 76 balls, before losing his wicket to Mohammad Amir. England were chasing a target of 349, which would be the highest total by a team batting second to win a World Cup match were they to achieve it after Pakistan made 348 for eight.

England's Joe Root scores first hundred of Cricket World Cup 2019

Ahead of the Cricket World Cup 2019, England are boosted by a 4-0 series win against Pakistan in the five-match One-Day International series, the first match was washed out.&nbsp;

In the final match, Chris Woakes took five wickets as England beat Pakistan by 54 runs to win the match at Headingley on Sunday.&nbsp;

In the match, England bowler Adil Rashid pulled off a magnificent run out to dismiss Pakistan's Babar Azam.&nbsp;

In the 27th over, Sarfraz was batting and set off for a single.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/icc-world-cup-2019-all-teams-and-their-squad-list-211495#england-211485">ICC World Cup 2019: All teams and their squad list</a>&nbsp;

But&nbsp;England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler moved quickly from behind the stumps to throw the ball to the bowler's end where Rashid, with Babar trying to regain his ground, flicked the ball onto the stumps from behind his back without looking to complete a run-out.&nbsp;

Rashid, in front of his Yorkshire home crowd, then dismissed Shoaib Malik with a diving left-handed catch off his own bowling.&nbsp;

Sarfraz was denied what would have been his third ODI hundred in bizarre fashion.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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Mad skills Adil Rashid <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvPAK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvPAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/AQCMe2oGqJ">pic.twitter.com/AQCMe2oGqJ</a>
— George Dowse-Brenan (@georgedb) <a href="https://twitter.com/georgedb/status/1130141957156741120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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🙈 The no-look run out! 😱👏 
 
Fabulous work from Adil Rashid! A back-flick onto the stumps without looking does for Babar (80)... 
 
Video by <a href="https://twitter.com/englandcricket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@englandcricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/s3bkM57lSo">pic.twitter.com/s3bkM57lSo</a>
— FanOfCricket (@FanOfCricket16) <a href="https://twitter.com/FanOfCricket16/status/1130236050935205889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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England will have to reduce their 17-man squad to 15 for the World Cup and captain Eoin Morgan told BBC Radio's Test Match Special: "I could pick 17 at the moment. It is going to be an extremely tough selection."&nbsp;

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed, who top-scored for his side with 97, said, "Result-wise it is not ideal for the World Cup. But the way the batsman are batting we are ready for the World Cup.&nbsp;

"We have taken some positives but we need to sort out our bowling and fielding," he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ahead of the Cricket World Cup 2019, England are boosted by a 4-0 series win against Pakistan in the five-match One-Day International series, the first match was washed out.

Ahead of the Cricket World Cup 2019, England are boosted by a 4-0 series win against Pakistan in the five-match One-Day International series, the first match was washed out. In the final match, Chris Woakes took five wickets as England beat Pakistan by 54 runs to win the match at Headingley on Sunday. In the match, England bowler Adil Rashid pulled off a magnificent run out to dismiss Pakistan's Babar Azam. In the 27th over, Sarfraz was batting and set off for a single. Also Read | ICC World Cup 2019: All teams and their squad list But England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler moved quickly from behind the stumps to throw the ball to the bowler's end where Rashid, with Babar trying to regain his ground, flicked the ball onto the stumps from behind his back without looking to complete a run-out. Rashid, in front of his Yorkshire home crowd, then dismissed Shoaib Malik with a diving left-handed catch off his own bowling. Sarfraz was denied what would have been his third ODI hundred in bizarre fashion. Watch: Mad skills Adil Rashid #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/AQCMe2oGqJ — George Dowse-Brenan (@georgedb) May 19, 2019 × 🙈 The no-look run out! 😱👏 Fabulous work from Adil Rashid! A back-flick onto the stumps without looking does for Babar (80)... Video by @englandcricket pic.twitter.com/s3bkM57lSo — FanOfCricket (@FanOfCricket16) May 19, 2019 × England will have to reduce their 17-man squad to 15 for the World Cup and captain Eoin Morgan told BBC Radio's Test Match Special: "I could pick 17 at the moment. It is going to be an extremely tough selection." Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed, who top-scored for his side with 97, said, "Result-wise it is not ideal for the World Cup. But the way the batsman are batting we are ready for the World Cup. "We have taken some positives but we need to sort out our bowling and fielding," he added.

Watch: England's Adil Rashid pulls off MS Dhoni-like run out against Pakistan

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