Arafat Minhas Leads Pakistan to 87-Run Tri-Series Win Over England

Arafat Minhas delivered an all-round performance of rare impact as Pakistan beat England by 87 runs in the tri-series at Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. Minhas struck 59 from 58 balls during Pakistan’s recovery to 302-9, then returned career-best figures of 6-40 with his left-arm spin as England were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs.

The result was built on Minhas’s work in both innings. Pakistan had been 133-5 before their middle and lower order supplied the momentum, while England appeared well placed at 120-1 in pursuit. From that position, however, England lost their last nine wickets for 95 runs as Minhas drove Pakistan’s decisive fightback.

Pakistan recover before Minhas takes charge

England made the early breakthroughs after Pakistan were asked to build their innings. Gus Atkinson struck with the first ball of the match, with Fakhar Zaman caught by Joe Root at short mid-wicket. Sonny Baker then removed Saim Ayub for eight to leave Pakistan 31-2.

Babar Azam made 34 and Saad Baig scored 35 as Pakistan steadied, but the innings was under pressure again at 133-5. Hasan Nawaz and Minhas changed the direction of the total with a sixth-wicket stand worth 78. Nawaz top-scored with 79 from 74 deliveries, hitting four sixes and five fours.

Minhas contributed nine fours in his 58-ball 59, his maiden half-century. He then added 72 for the seventh wicket with Faheem Ashraf, who made 39 with a six and five boundaries. Pakistan added 91 runs in the final 10 overs to finish on 302-9, turning a difficult position into a substantial target.

Baker was England’s leading wicket-taker with 3-65, while Atkinson returned 2-35. England also dropped three catches during the Nawaz-Minhas partnership, allowing Pakistan’s recovery to continue.

England’s chase began with considerable promise. Tom Banton made 57 from 53 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes, while Ben Duckett scored 45. Their efforts helped England reach 120-1 and gave the visitors a strong platform in pursuit of 303.

England collapse from 120-1 to 215 all out

Pakistan’s bowlers turned the chase sharply after that opening. Naseem Shah took the important wicket of Root for 33, while Haris Rauf removed Sam Curran for 27. Minhas then produced the key spell, mixing wickets with increasing pressure as England’s chase lost momentum.

Banton was caught after miscued pull, and Minhas followed by bowling Harry Brook for five with a sharp-turning delivery. Jordan Cox was trapped for 18 as England slipped further away from the target. Minhas completed his second five-wicket haul by dismissing Will Jacks for 19 and Jamie Overton for one.

He capped the performance by running out England’s final batter, sealing figures of 6-40 and Pakistan’s 87-run victory. The match showed the importance of Pakistan’s late-order runs and their ability to convert England’s promising start into a complete batting collapse.

England will remain in Rawalpindi for their next tri-series fixture against Sri Lanka on Thursday. For Pakistan, Minhas’s half-century, six wickets and final run-out made him the defining figure in a comprehensive win.