News

England A crash out of triangular series

England A crashed out of the triangular series after slumping to a 114-run defeat against Pakistan A

Cricinfo staff
27-Mar-2005
Pakistan A 239 for 3 (Faisal 102*, Aamer 65*) beat England A 125 by 114 runs
Scorecard
Points table
England A's winter ended with a whimper, as they crashed out of the triangular tournament after a crushing 114-run defeat to Pakistan A at Moratuwa. While Ian Bell's side head home, Sri Lanka A will now face Pakistan A in the final on Tuesday, but they will face a stern test: Pakistan have won all four of their group matches.
Faisal Athar and Aamer Bashir set up Pakistan's latest triumph, their unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 168 lifting their side to 239 for 3 after a stodgy start from the top order, who were limping along at little more three an over. But Faisal and Aamer floored the accelerator when the dismissal of Ashar Zaidi - who made a painstaking yet painful 17 from 69 balls - brought them together in the 21st over. Faisal struck an unbeaten 102 from 133 balls and Aamer joined in the fun, bashing 65 not out from 79 balls.
England's batsman struggled from the outset and the writing was firmly on the wall at 25 for 4, the opening pace attack of Mohammad Asif and Abdur Rauf taking two wickets each. Imran Tahir then helped himself to the next three wickets to kill off England's slim hopes (71 for 7).
Richard Dawson and Paul Franks gestured at revival, putting on 38 for the eighth wicket, but it was far too little, far too late and England slumped to 125 all out.