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Pakistan 18-1 for World Cup after upsetting trophy favourites at Trent Bridge

England stay market-leaders at 2-1 after 14-run defeat in Trent Bridge tussle

Mohammad Hafeez's Pakistan trumped Jos Buttler's England in Nottingham
Mohammad Hafeez's Pakistan trumped Jos Buttler's England in NottinghamCredit: David Rogers

England are 2-1 to win the World Cup after a shock 14-run defeat to 100-30 shots Pakistan at Trent Bridge.

The underdogs returned to a venue where they had been bowled out for just 105 by the West Indies last week and England were as short as 1-6 when Eoin Morgan won the toss and chose to bowl first.

But Pakistan's batsmen produced a much-improved performance to post a competitive total of 348-8 with veteran Mohammad Hafeez, a 15-2 chance to top-score, making 84.

That left England needing a World Cup record run-chase of 349, although Morgan's men were still 8-11 favourites at the break.

Pakistan's spinners chipped away at the top order to leave England in trouble at 118-4 before a magnificent stand between Joe Root and Jos Buttler put England back in charge.

Crucially, though, both players were dismissed just after reaching their century – Root (107) pipped Buttler (103) in the top-runscorer market – and Pakistan's left-arm quicks closed out the game well.

Pakistan, who were thrashed in their first game of the 2017 Champions Trophy yet recovered to win the trophy, are 18-1 – from 40-1 – to repeat the trick in the World Cup.

England are 1-6 to bounce back against Bangladesh in Cardiff on Saturday. The Tigers, who upset South Africa in their opening game, are 5-1 for victory at Sophia Gardens.


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