Strauss Century Sets Up England Last-Over Victory

Strauss Century Sets Up England Last-Over Victory

Andrew Strauss hit 126 to help England to a four-wicket win

©Action Images / Ed Sykes Livepic

Pakistan Set England 295 To Win Second ODI

Asad Shafiq hits out during his maiden ODI half-century at Headingley

©Action Images / Ed Sykes Livepic

Pakistan Set England 295 To Win Second ODI

Kamran Akmal celebrates his half-century against England

©REUTERS/Philip Brown (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

England 295-6 (Strauss 126, Trott 53) beat
Pakistan 294-8 (Kamran Akmal 74, Asad Shafiq 50) by four wickets
Second One-Day International, Headingley
Scorecard

Andrew Strauss hit a century and Jonathan Trott a half-century as England moved into a 2-0 series lead over Pakistan by winning the second One-Day International at Headingley by four wickets.

Kamran Akmal and Asad Shafiq hit half-centuries as Pakistan produced an excellent batting performance to post 294 for eight but England then got home with three balls to spare.

Akmal hit 74 and Shafiq exactly 50 - his maiden half-century in his third match - to propel Pakistan to a competitive score and the innings was easily their best effort since the spot-fixing controversy engulfed their squad.

Akmal faced 72 balls, hitting 12 fours, as he got Pakistan off to a flying start by adding 122 with opening partner Mohammad Hafeez (43).

The partnership was broken when Akmal was trapped in front by Paul Collingwood but the runs continued to come for Pakistan as Mohammad Yousuf made 46, Shafiq his half-century, facing 58 balls, hitting three fours and a six, and 28 from Umar Akmal.

Fawad Alam blasted a quickfire unbeaten 20 before Stuart Broad picked up the wickets of Yousuf, Shafiq, Umar Akmal and Saeed Ajmal (4) to return figures of four for 81.

Tim Bresnan, James Anderson, Graeme Swann and Collingwood picked up a wicket apiece.

Strauss then anchored England's reply with 126 in 134 balls, scoring his fifth ODI century and putting England in a commanding position along with Trott's 53 in 71 balls.

However, Pakistan fought back by dismissing both men along with Steven Davies (26), Paul Collingwood (19), Eoin Morgan (16), and Ravi Bopara (16).

Michael Yardy (13 not out) and Bresnan (10 not out) then finally wrested the game decisively away from Pakistan with the winning runs.

England led the series 1-0 following a 24-run win in the opening match in Chester-le-Street.

© Cricket World 2010