Strauss ton lifts England to victory over Pakistan

LONDON, (Reuters) – Andrew Strauss delivered the  perfect riposte to those questioning his place in England’s  one-day team with a polished 126 to help his side to a  four-wicket win over Pakistan in Leeds yesterday.

After Pakistan, hopeless in the Twenty/20 internationals,  had scored a testing 294 for eight, England were always close to  their near six an over target as they moved 2-0 up in the  five-match series.

Captain Strauss was the backbone and though it proved a  nervous finale after the opener departed with 47 runs still  needed, Michael Yardy and Tim Bresnan brought England home with  three balls to spare.

Despite the defeat Pakistan will have been pleased with  their display, not least in the field where they were much  improved.
They also produced one of their best batting displays of  their long tour of England after winning the toss on a rare  sunny morning in Leeds.
Kamran Akmal (74) and Mohammad Hafeez (43) built an opening  stand of 122 in 23 overs with Akmal in particular punishing some  loose England bowling with a slew of boundaries.

The assault was maintained by Mohammad Yousuf (46) and Asad  Shafi, a late call-up for the tour who hit 50 from 57 balls,  including one mighty straight six off spinner Graeme Swann, as  England did not help their own cause with some poor fielding.

England set about the chase confidently and opener Steven  Davis, who hit 87 in the first match of the series, started  powerfully again with 26 off 21 balls before being caught behind  off Shoaib Akhtar.
SCOREBOARD
England won by four wickets
Pakistan innings

Kamran Akmal lbw b Collingwood                            74
Mohammad Hafeez  b Swann                                       43
Mohammad Yousuf  c Davies b Broad                      46
Asad Shafiq  c Bopara b Broad                                     50
Umar Akmal  c Davies b Broad                                    28
Shahid Afridi  c Strauss b Anderson                            9
Fawad Alam  not out                                                         20
Umar Gul  b Bresnan                                                           3
Saeed Ajmal  c Strauss b Broad                                      4
Shoaib Akhtar  not out                                                      0
Extras (lb 12, w 5)                                                              17
Total (eight wickets; 50 overs)                               294
Did not bat: Mohammad Irfan
Fall of wickets: 1-122 2-137 3-211 4-246 5-258 6-278 7-284  8-289
Bowling: Bresnan 9-0-53-1 (1w), Anderson 10-1-36-1 (3w),  Broad 10-0-81-4, Yardy 6-0-43-0, Swann 10-0-43-1 (1w),  Collingwood 5-0-26-1

England innings

A. Strauss lbw b Ajmal                                                 126
S. Davies c K. Akmal b Akhtar                                    26
J. Trott run out                                                                 53
P. Collingwood c sub b Afridi                                     19
E. Morgan c Hafeez b Gul                                            16
R. Bopara c Hafeez b Ajmal                                        16
M. Yardy not out                                                            13
T. Bresnan not out                                                        10
Extras (lb-3, w-13)                                                         16
Total (six wickets; 49.3 overs)                              295
Did not bat: G. Swann, S. Broad, J. Anderson
Fall of wickets: 1-43 2-189 3-220 4-248 5-260 6-282
Bowling: Akhtar 8-0-49-1 (1w), Irfan 7-0-40-0 (1w), Gul  9.3-0-59-1 (3w), Ajmal 10-0-52-2 (2w), Afridi 9-0-59-1 (1w),  Hafeez 6-0-33-0
Remaining matches:
Sept. 17, Oval, London  Sept. 20, Lord’s, London
Sept. 22, Rose Bowl, Southampton

c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. Click For Restrictions. http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp