Pakistan Beat England by 87 Runs: Arafat Minhas’ 6/40 Seals 2nd ODI Win in Rawalpindi
By Imran Javed, Sports Desk | Updated: October 20, 2026 Pakistan beat England by 87 runs in the 2nd ODI of the ODI tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 20, 2026. England won the toss and chose to bowl, but after Pakistan recovered from a nightmare start to post 302/9 in their 50 overs,…
Pakistan beat England by 87 runs in the 2nd ODI of the ODI tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 20, 2026. England won the toss and chose to bowl, but after Pakistan recovered from a nightmare start to post 302/9 in their 50 overs, Arafat Minhas ripped through the chase with a stunning 6/40 and England were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs. Minhas — 59 off 58 with the bat and 6/40 with the ball — was named Player of the Match as Pakistan made it two wins from two in the tri-nation series.
Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas rescue Pakistan from 81/4
Following this game the way most of us did — ball by ball, tea in hand, heart rate climbing — you could feel the panic in the first hour. England’s decision to bowl first looked inspired almost immediately. Gus Atkinson struck with the very first delivery of the match, dismissing Fakhar Zaman for a duck, caught by Joe Root. Saim Ayub managed 8 before Sonny Baker removed him with Pakistan at 31. When Will Jacks bowled Babar Azam for 34, and Salman Ali Agha departed for 16, Pakistan were reeling at 81 for 4 in the 19th over. At Rawalpindi, with the crowd going quiet, this had all the makings of a collapse.
That is when Pakistan’s youngsters took charge. Saad Baig (35 off 54) steadied things first alongside Hasan Nawaz in a 51-run partnership. Then Nawaz — playing only his sixth ODI — cut loose. His 79 off 74 balls, struck with five fours and four sixes, was his second ODI fifty and a new career best, and it came exactly when Pakistan needed someone to wrestle the game back.
Arafat Minhas was not finished, though. His 59 off 58 deliveries — nine boundaries — was his maiden international fifty, and the 72-run stand off just 49 balls he shared with Faheem Ashraf (39 off 26) dragged Pakistan past 250 and then some. The last ten overs produced 91 runs. Late cameos took Pakistan to 302 for 9 — a total that looked impossible when the fourth wicket fell.
Pak vs Eng 2nd ODI scorecard: England’s bowlers
England’s bowling figures tell the story of a side that started brilliantly and lost control. Sonny Baker led the way with three wickets, Gus Atkinson took two, while Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid and Sam Curran picked up one apiece. England’s fielding did not help — dropped catches at key moments let Pakistan off the hook completely after the early strikes had them on the mat.
Pakistan 302/9 (50 ov) vs England 215 all out (38.4 ov)
- Pakistan: Hasan Nawaz 79 (74), Arafat Minhas 59 (58), Faheem Ashraf 39 (26), Saad Baig 35, Babar Azam 34, Salman Ali Agha 16, Saim Ayub 8, Fakhar Zaman 0
- England bowling: Sonny Baker 3 wkts, Gus Atkinson 2 wkts, Will Jacks 1, Jamie Overton 1, Adil Rashid 1, Sam Curran 1
- England: Tom Banton 57, Ben Duckett 45, Joe Root 33
- Pakistan bowling: Arafat Minhas 6/40
- Result: Pakistan won by 87 runs • Player of the Match: Arafat Minhas
Arafat Minhas’ 6/40 spins England out
Chasing 303, England started brightly. Tom Banton (57 off 53) and Ben Duckett (45 off 46) gave the chase real momentum, and Joe Root added 33. England had gambled on evening dew making batting easier later — the dew never arrived, and Pakistan’s spinners bowled dry.
The moment Arafat Minhas came on, the chase fell apart. His left-arm spin ripped through the middle and lower order: 6 for 40 in 8.4 overs, sealing a five-wicket haul with the dismissal of Will Jacks and then finishing the job with the final wickets, including Adil Rashid for a first-ball duck. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah provided support as England lost their last wickets in a heap — all out for 215, 87 runs short.
This is worth saying plainly: a fifty and a six-wicket haul in the same ODI is the kind of day careers are built on. Minhas did it when his team was 81/4. That is not stat-padding; that is character.
What this 87-run win means for the tri-series
Two wins from two puts Pakistan on the brink of the tri-series final — a genuine statement in a home tournament, coming right after the 37-run win over Sri Lanka in the opener. England, meanwhile, must now beat Sri Lanka to stay alive in the tournament, and their problems are piling up: tonight they had Pakistan 81/4 and somehow conceded 302, then were spun out by the opposition’s young all-rounder in Asian conditions.
The top-order wobble is a worry for another day. Fakhar gone first ball, Saim for 8, Babar grinding 34 off 52, Salman for 16 — that is four of the top five failing in a home ODI, and it keeps happening. Babar, in particular, looks stuck between two gears right now. But tonight belongs to Pakistan’s youngsters. Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas played with no fear, clear plans, and the temperament to rebuild before accelerating — exactly what this middle order has been missing.
Next up is the 4th ODI against England at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on October 25 — the match where Pakistan will wear special pink kits for breast cancer awareness.
FAQs: Pakistan vs England 2nd ODI result
Who won the Pakistan vs England 2nd ODI?
Pakistan won by 87 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 20, 2026. England won the toss and chose to bowl, but Pakistan defended 302/9 by bowling England out for 215 in 38.4 overs.
What was the full score in the Pak vs Eng 2nd ODI?
Pakistan scored 302 for 9 in 50 overs (Hasan Nawaz 79, Arafat Minhas 59, Faheem Ashraf 39). England were all out for 215 in 38.4 overs (Tom Banton 57, Ben Duckett 45, Joe Root 33), with Arafat Minhas taking 6 for 40.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Arafat Minhas, for a complete all-round performance — 59 off 58 balls with the bat and 6 for 40 with the ball. His fifty helped rescue Pakistan from 81/4, and his six-wicket haul then destroyed England’s chase.
How did Pakistan recover from 81/4?
Through two youngsters: Saad Baig (35) steadied the innings with Hasan Nawaz in a 51-run stand, Nawaz then hit a career-best 79 off 74, and Minhas added 59 before a 72-run stand off 49 balls with Faheem Ashraf (39 off 26) pushed Pakistan past 300.
What does this result mean for the ODI tri-series?
Pakistan now have two wins from two and are one win away from the tri-series final, following their 37-run win over Sri Lanka in the opener. England must beat Sri Lanka to keep their final hopes alive.
When is Pakistan’s next match?
Pakistan face England again in the 4th ODI at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on October 25 — the game where Pakistan will wear special pink kits to raise breast cancer awareness.
