A fine team bowling display helped England dismiss Pakistan for 157 with Adil Rashid the pick of the attack with two for 27 on a night where Wood and Jofra Archer bowled in tandem for the first time in 15 months. Babar Azam had got Pakistan off to a strong start with 36 at the top of the order, but Archer claimed his wicket and it sparked a collapse which allowed fellow pace bowler Wood to return to take two for 35 on his first white-ball outing since the 50-over World Cup in November. Absolute savagery from Mark Wood 🤯 #EnglandCricket | #ENGvPAK pic.
twitter.com/zrrksjNF95 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 30, 2024 A familiar scene greeted both teams at the Kia Oval with more wet weather in the air, but the rain did not last long and play started on time at 6.30pm.
Jos Buttler was back after he missed Tuesday’s washout in Cardiff to be at the birth of his third child and elected to bowl first, which enabled speed merchants Archer and Wood to be unleashed. While both pace bowlers hit top speed from the outset – with Wood able to clock 96mph from his fourth ball – Pakistan’s openers claimed the upper-hand in the powerplay. Babar flicked away his first delivery for four before Muhammad Rizwan crunched back-to-back boundaries off Wood.
Spin was introduced after five overs, but Babar launched Moeen Ali into the stand for the first six of the night. The fifty partnership followed when Babar slashed away successive fours off Archer before the fit-again England qui.