MATCH REPORT
Follow Us663 runs were scored in the third ODI between England and Pakistan and it was the hosts who emerged victorious. They successfully chased down 332 to complete a 3-0 whitewash.
James Vince top-scored with 102, while Lewis Gregory hit 77 and the 129-run sixth-wicket stand between the two sealed the win in the end. This was the highest successful run-chase at Edgbaston and the fourth-highest run-chase in England.
Pakistan led by Babar Azam's 158 and a valiant 74 from Mohammad Rizwan propelled them to 331, which they would have thought to be enough. But England, as they have in the last five years or so, played fearless cricket and came out all guns blazing. Despite a few hiccups, they managed to find a way to win with two overs to spare.
With the entire first-choice team under isolation, the second-string side led by Ben Stokes did the unthinkable and blanked Pakistan in the series, which is an indication of the depth they have in their squad.
"I hadn't given up on this moment, but this time last week I didn't expect it at all," Vince said after the game. "I wasn't sure it was going to come. There was probably a realization I wasn't going to be in the squad or be high up in the pecking order so I was delighted I got another opportunity."
The 30-year-old Vince said scoring a hundred for his country was one of my dreams growing up. I don't know when the next will be or if there will be another one, but that was without doubt one of the best days I've had," he said.
England was 165-5 in the 24th before Vince shared a stand of 129 with Lewis Gregory (77). Vince chipped Haris Rauf (4-65) to mid-off, and Gregory top-edged a skier with 29 still required. Craig Overton (18 not out) and Brydon Carse (12 not out) finished things off.
England chose to bowl first and Pakistan's innings was built on Babar's partnership of 179 with Mohammed Rizwan. Babar reached three figures in 104 balls, getting there with two boundaries in three balls by pulling Carse (5-61) with authority and then middling a compact cut shot.
England got the long-awaited third wicket when Rizwan went after a leg-side bouncer from Carse but feathered a nick through to John Simpson. Carse picked up two more late wickets as the visitors moved to 309-5.
On the other end, Babar was on a career-best 150 not out and survived a run-out attempt in the 48th over. Saqib Mahmood (3-60) finished his 10 overs with two wickets in as many balls. Carse finally ended Babar's entertaining stay, producing a rare mis-hit to Dawid Malan.
After the game, Babar was critical of Pakistan's fielding. They put down multiple chances throughout the game that ultimately cost them a chance to beat England. The visitors have a couple of days to pull themselves together before the T20I series, which begins on Friday (July 16).
(With inputs from AFP)
