Wisden
First One-Day International

Pakistan v England 2000-2001

At Karachi, October 24 (day/night). England won by five wickets. Toss: Pakistan.
England successfully chased 300 for the first time in a limited-overs international and, sweeping to victory with 16 balls to spare, recorded the fourth-highest winning total by a team batting second. Flintoff applied the brutal finale with 84 runs from 60 deliveries, and his partnership with Thorpe produced 138 in 17 overs. Flintoff's innings came five days after learning that his inability to bowl (he was still suffering from a long-term back problem) would prevent him from playing in the Tests. England's reply started controversially when umpire Riazuddin waited seven seconds before raising his finger to despatch Stewart. However, Hussain anchored the run-chase, Hick (56 from 51 balls) gave it momentum and Thorpe scampered while Flintoff savaged. On a flat pitch in searing heat, Abdur Razzaq had taken Pakistan beyond 300 with an unbeaten 75 from 40 balls as they added 106 from the final ten overs. But Pakistan's bowlers found the conditions much less to their liking. The evening dew made the ball so slippery that the next two matches were rescheduled to start at noon rather than 2.30 p.m.

Man of the Match: A. Flintoff.

© John Wisden & Co