Pakistan Beat England by 87 Runs: Arafat Minhas Takes 6 Wickets in ODI Tri-Series 2026
Pakistan defeated England by 87 runs in the men’s ODI Tri-Series 2026 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 20, 2026. Pakistan scored 302 for nine in 50 overs before bowling England out for 215 in 38.4 overs. The standout performer was Pakistan’s young all-rounder Arafat Minhas, who scored 59 runs from 58 balls and then […]
Pakistan defeated England by 87 runs in the men’s ODI Tri-Series 2026 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 20, 2026. Pakistan scored 302 for nine in 50 overs before bowling England out for 215 in 38.4 overs.
The standout performer was Pakistan’s young all-rounder Arafat Minhas, who scored 59 runs from 58 balls and then claimed six wickets for 40 runs. Hasan Nawaz also played a crucial role, scoring 79 as Pakistan recovered from early batting trouble to post a competitive total. The Associated Press report published by AFP highlighted Minhas’s outstanding all-round contribution.
England appeared well placed during the early stages of their chase, but Pakistan’s bowlers turned the match around by taking regular wickets. The defeat left England with work to do ahead of their next tri-series fixture against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan vs England: Match Summary
| Match detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka ODI Tri-Series 2026 |
| Date | October 20, 2026 |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| Pakistan | 302/9 in 50 overs |
| England | 215 all out in 38.4 overs |
| Result | Pakistan won by 87 runs |
| Standout performer | Arafat Minhas — 59 runs and 6/40 |
For official tournament details and fixtures, visit the Pakistan Cricket Board’s ODI tri-series announcement.
Pakistan Recover from Early Batting Setbacks
England captain Harry Brook chose to field after winning the toss, hoping his bowlers could put Pakistan under pressure early.
The decision initially appeared promising. Pakistan lost four wickets for 81 runs, giving England an opportunity to control the innings and restrict the hosts to a modest total.
However, Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas helped rebuild Pakistan’s innings. Nawaz scored an attacking 79 off 74 balls, providing stability while maintaining the scoring rate. Minhas added 59 from 58 deliveries, striking nine boundaries and making the most of his opportunity.
Their contributions helped Pakistan recover from a difficult position and establish a stronger platform for the final overs.
Faheem Ashraf then provided useful late acceleration with 39 runs from 26 balls. Shaheen Shah Afridi added an unbeaten 10 as Pakistan finished on 302 for nine.
The recovery was important because England needed to chase 303 runs to win. Pakistan’s lower-order contributions ensured the visitors would have to sustain their batting performance throughout the innings.
Arafat Minhas Delivers a Match-Winning All-Round Performance
Arafat Minhas was the defining player of the match. After helping Pakistan recover with the bat, the left-arm spinner produced an outstanding bowling performance that dismantled England’s chase.
Minhas took six wickets for 40 runs in only his fifth ODI appearance. His figures reflected his ability to take wickets while maintaining pressure on the opposition.
One of his most important breakthroughs was the dismissal of England captain Harry Brook for just five runs. Brook’s departure increased the pressure on England’s middle order at a time when the visitors needed a stable partnership.
Minhas continued to attack the batters, taking crucial wickets as England struggled to maintain momentum. He also completed a direct-hit run-out to finish the innings, capping a memorable all-round display.
His performance showed how a versatile cricketer can influence a match in more than one department. His half-century helped Pakistan recover with the bat, while his six wickets ensured England could not complete the chase.
Read the AFP match report on Arafat Minhas’s six-wicket performance for additional reporting on his contribution.
England Make a Promising Start to the Run Chase
England began their pursuit of 303 positively. Openers Tom Banton and Ben Duckett built a 91-run opening partnership, putting Pakistan under early pressure.
Banton scored 57 runs, while Duckett contributed 47. Their attacking approach suggested England could challenge Pakistan’s total if the middle order continued the momentum.
However, the dismissal of the opening pair changed the direction of the contest. England lost momentum and struggled to establish the partnerships required for a successful chase.
Brook’s dismissal for five was another setback. With the captain back in the pavilion, England needed their experienced batters to rebuild the innings and avoid further wickets.
Instead, Pakistan’s bowlers continued to apply pressure. England’s promising start ultimately failed to translate into a competitive finish.
Pakistan’s Spin Attack Exposes England’s Middle-Order Problems
England’s main difficulty was their inability to build meaningful partnerships after the opening stand ended.
Joe Root scored 33 runs and Sam Curran added 27, but neither contribution was enough to restore control of the chase. As wickets fell, England found it increasingly difficult to maintain the required scoring rate.
Minhas was particularly effective against the middle order. His left-arm spin forced England’s batters to make difficult decisions, while the regular fall of wickets made it harder for them to settle at the crease.
England eventually lost their final seven wickets for only 50 runs, turning a promising start into a heavy defeat. They were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs, giving Pakistan an 87-run victory.
The match underlined an important lesson in ODI cricket: a strong opening partnership is valuable, but a team chasing more than 300 also needs middle-order stability and the ability to respond when wickets fall.
For readers who want to understand the format and its scoring, see TopicNestly’s beginner’s guide to cricket rules, formats and scoring.
Pakistan vs England ODI Scorecard
Pakistan innings — 302/9 in 50 overs
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Hasan Nawaz | 79 |
| Arafat Minhas | 59 |
| Babar Azam | 34 |
| Faheem Ashraf | 39 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 10 not out |
| Total | 302/9 |
England innings — 215 all out in 38.4 overs
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Tom Banton | 57 |
| Ben Duckett | 47 |
| Joe Root | 33 |
| Sam Curran | 27 |
| Total | 215 all out |
Key bowling performance
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Arafat Minhas (Pakistan) | 6/40 |
| Sonny Baker (England) | 3/65 |
Result: Pakistan won by 87 runs.
Player of the Match: Arafat Minhas.
Note: This is a summary scorecard rather than a ball-by-ball official scorecard. Consult the official Pakistan Cricket Board tournament results for the official match record.
What the Defeat Means for England
England’s defeat was a disappointing start to their campaign against Pakistan in the tri-series. Although Duckett and Banton demonstrated their attacking ability, the middle order failed to build on the foundation created by their opening partnership.
The innings highlighted the importance of rotating the strike, managing pressure and choosing the right moments to attack spin bowling. When wickets begin to fall, batters must find ways to build partnerships without allowing the required run rate to become unmanageable.
Captain Harry Brook and England’s coaching staff will have several areas to assess before the next match. Improving their response to spin and finding greater consistency from the middle order will be important if England want to remain competitive in the tournament.
The defeat does not decide England’s overall campaign, but it places greater importance on their response in the remaining fixtures.
Pakistan Gain Momentum in the ODI Tri-Series
For Pakistan, the victory provided another boost in the tournament. The team showed resilience by recovering from early batting setbacks before delivering a disciplined bowling performance.
Hasan Nawaz’s 79 helped Pakistan rebuild, while Minhas’s half-century and six wickets gave the hosts a decisive advantage. Faheem Ashraf’s late acceleration also helped push the total beyond 300.
The bowling unit maintained pressure when England’s opening pair threatened to build a strong chase. Once Pakistan broke that partnership, the bowlers capitalized and prevented the visitors from recovering.
Pakistan will hope to carry this form into their upcoming matches as they pursue a place in the tri-series final.
What Comes Next in the Tri-Series?
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s published schedule, England are scheduled to face Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 22. Pakistan’s next scheduled match against England is on October 25 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The tri-series is scheduled to conclude with the final in Lahore on October 31, featuring the two teams that finish highest in the competition.
England will look to recover from this defeat, while Pakistan will aim to maintain their winning momentum. With more matches remaining, both teams will have opportunities to improve their position before the final.
Final Verdict
Pakistan’s 87-run victory over England was built on resilience with the bat and a superb bowling performance. After losing four wickets for 81 runs, Pakistan recovered to post 302 for nine, with Hasan Nawaz scoring 79 and Arafat Minhas contributing 59.
Minhas then took six wickets for 40 runs, helping bowl England out for 215 in 38.4 overs. His all-round performance was the defining factor in the match.
For England, the defeat highlighted the need for stronger middle-order partnerships and a more effective response to spin bowling. Pakistan, meanwhile, will take confidence from a victory that showcased batting depth, bowling discipline and the impact of a young all-rounder.
As the ODI Tri-Series 2026 continues, the teams’ ability to learn from this match could prove important in the race for a place in the final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Pakistan vs England on October 20, 2026?
Pakistan defeated England by 87 runs in the ODI Tri-Series match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
What was Pakistan’s score against England?
Pakistan scored 302 runs for nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
What was England’s final score?
England were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs while chasing a target of 303.
How many wickets did Arafat Minhas take?
Arafat Minhas took six wickets for 40 runs and also scored 59 runs with the bat.
Who was Player of the Match?
Arafat Minhas was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
When is England’s next match in the tri-series?
England are scheduled to face Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 22, 2026.
Where will the ODI Tri-Series final take place?
The final is scheduled for October 31, 2026, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Sources and Further Reading
- Pakistan Cricket Board — ODI Tri-Series 2026 announcement and schedule
- AFP — Arafat Minhas stars as Pakistan beat England
- The Guardian — England collapse to defeat against Pakistan
- TopicNestly — Cricket rules, formats and scoring explained
This report is based on match reporting and the published tournament schedule available on October 20, 2026. For the official complete scorecard, use the Pakistan Cricket Board’s tournament results.
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