Pakistan bowled out for 222 vs. England

UBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—England’s pace attack put the tourists in a strong position to clinch the one-day international series by bowling out Pakistan for 222 in 50 overs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

England leads the four-match series 2-0 and Steven Finn, the standout bowler of the ODI series, picked up where he left off in the previous two matches in Abu Dhabi.

Finn and Stuart Broad did the damage early as Pakistan dropped to 50-4. A composed 50 from Umar Akmal and an entertaining 51 from Shahid Afridi briefly threatened to restore Pakistan’s fortunes but Broad and James Anderson combined to remove the pair.

Finn had claimed four wickets in the first two games and Pakistan’s batsmen had trouble playing him again.

The Middlesex quick had Imran Farhat caught behind by wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter for nine while at the other end Broad also looked dangerous.

Azhar Ali was out to Broad as Kieswetter claimed another catch. Broad should have picked up Mohammad Hafeez’s wicket too but the opener was reprieved on 17 when Broad’s delivery was deemed a no-ball despite Eoin Morgan claiming a catch at point.

But Finn trapped Hafeez leg before for an entertaining 29 and Pakistan were reeling when captain Misbah-Ul-Haq edged to Graeme Swann at slip to give Broad a second wicket.

Umar Akmal and Asad Shafiq fought hard for a 47-run partnership before the latter failed to properly ground his bat and was run out by Alastair Cook.

Umar Akmal steadily made his way to a 92-ball fifty while the explosive Afridi hit only his second half-century against England, which included a massive six off Swann.

But Broad ended the pair’s 119-run partnership by claiming a third wicket thanks to an excellent catch by Samit Patel at midwicket as Umar Akmal produced a leading edge. Afridi was to follow shortly afterward as Anderson knocked over his leg stump as the Pakistan batsman went for another big hit to add to his 51 runs off 55 balls.

Finn took his third wicket bowling Adnan Akmal, Anderson also knocked over Saaed Ajmal and last man Aizaz Cheema was run out on the last ball as Pakistan added just 42 in their last nine overs.