KARACHI: Mel Hussain’s brilliant all-round performance powered England Over-60s to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Pakistan Over-60s in the fourth ODI at the Southport and Birkdale Sports Club on Wednesday. The hosts now lead the five-match series being played for the Royal Nawab Cup 2-1 with the fifth and final encounter due to be contested on Friday.
Electing to field, after winning the toss, England bowled Pakistan out for 188 in 42.1 overs despite stiff resistance from the low-order batters. The home side chased down the target of 189 in 45 overs with nearly seven overs to spare. Mel Hussain, younger brother of former England captain, Nasser Hussain, followed up his four-wicket haul with a solid knock of 81 to earn Player of the Match award which he received from the Pakistan captain, Nadeem Omar, in the presence of Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA).
Batting first in challenging conditions, the top-order visiting batsmen were unable to occupy the crease for long duration of time and they looked heading towards a low total when Saleem Malik, a former Pakistan captain and a batting great, was run out for six in the 16th over. The visitors, however, rallied to reach a fighting total of 188 from 60 for six with Sagheer Abbas (40 off 55 balls), Tahir Rasheed (25 off 44 balls) and Shahid Mahboob (23 off 16 balls) showing resilience. Mel Hussain (4-20) and Jason Caunt (3-20) were the pick of England bowlers.
Opening the innings, Mel Hussain anchored the chase with a solid 81 off 113 balls. He was fourth batsman to be dismissed in the 36th over with the home side just a handful of runs away from completing victory. Jason Caunt’s breezy unbeaten 48 off 26 balls took England home on the first ball of 38th over.
With the third ODI between the two teams having been abandoned due to rain, England have taken an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series by winning the fourth game. Pakistan, who won the first match, need to emerge triumphant in the fifth and final fixture to square matters to share the trophy.
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