World Cup, England v Pakistan as it happened: Sarfaraz and Co halt losing streak with thrilling win

11.45 pm: That’s that from us for the night. What a brilliant game of cricket, what an epic win for Pakistan. They have brought the tournament alive (more than Bangladesh last night) and the World Cup is now well and truly underway.

Join us on Tuesday for Afghanistan v Sri Lanka...

11.37 pm:

England captain Eoin Morgan: “A great game, a game advertisement for the sport. Disappointed that we’ve come out on the losing side. I thought we were outfielded today, and that was the difference.”

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed: “Our opening partnership was crucial. We started with Shadab because we knew Roy and Bairstow aren’t good players of leg-spin. Relieved to end the losing streak.”

11.33 pm: Eoin Morgan says the fielding was probably the difference between the two sides. More from him shortly.

11.27 pm:

Hafeez: “Everyone in our team believed we could win. Each player chipped in. We practiced well and were confident. I tried to play my natural strokes and it worked for me today.”

First time in World Cup history that a team scoring two 100s in a run-chase has resulted in a defeat.

11.24 pm: Player of the match, Mohammed Hafeez for his match-winning 84.

11.23 win: England finish on 334/9 after 50 overs

Pakistan players are overjoyed, the staff are elated, the fans celebrate. An epic see-saw encounter and the World Cup finally feels alive. Amir removed Buttler, Wahab took care off Woakes and Ali (despite going for plenty of runs). And England have been pegged back despite having two centurions in the lineup today.

11.20 pm: PAKISTAN WIN BY 14 RUNS! England finish with 334/9 in 50 overs. This is Pakistan’s first victory after 12 ODI defeats.

After 49 overs, England 324/9

Another superb over from Amir (what a comeback for him too from a barren spell in ODIs). England need 25 off 6 balls.

Wahab to bowl the last over. Wood and Rashid in the middle.

After 48.4 overs, England 322/9: Wahab Riaz is everywhere!

Amir has another wicket, this time Jofra Archer slices one to third man. Wahab Riaz completes a good low catch. What a night he is having.

11.11 pm: What a decision it is turning out to be, to bring Wahab into the squad

After 48 overs, England 320/8 - WAHAB WITH THE DOUBLE-STRIKE!

DROPPED, WOAKES RUBS SALT INTO WOUNDS, THEN WAHAB STRIKES! Wahab goes on a diagonal run-up around the wicket, Woakes miscues the shot and the fielder at cover comes in fast, dives but misses the catch. Woakes then hits the fourth ball for the six of the day: an elegant off drive. Then, Moeen Ali nightmare innings comes to an end as Wahab digs one in but slow. Easy catch for fielder at point. Jofra is the new man in but Woakes is on strike. And Woakes edges one to Sarfaraz. What an over! What a match!

After 47 overs, England 311/6 - 15 run-over for England!

300 comes up for England and they are just about staying in the chase. Woakes has trouble with slower balls, just about escaping a miscue that falls in no man’s land at deep cover. Amir bowls a quicker one and Woakes manages to get an outside edge for a much-needed four. Then a couple of wides given by Umpire S Ravi: he’s not a popular man with the Pakistan fans! Moeen Ali, FINALLY, gets a boundary off the last ball of the over. Pulled away for four.

England need 38 off 18 balls.

After 46 overs, England 296/6

The required rate is creeping up and up all the time. Moeen Ali feels the pressure and tries a couple of heaves with Hassan bowling around the wicket but the change of pace has deceived the batsmen. Ali’s innings is not helping England.

England need a Bangladesh now: 53 runs off the last 4 overs.

After 45 overs, England 291/6 - Buttler falls after the century!

MOHAMMAD AMIR STRIKES! The match twists again! Root winces at the balcony and that says it all. The one wicket that Pakistan needed to swing this match in their favour. Amir bowls a cutter, the ball bounces a tad bit extra. The outside edge carries to Wahab at short third. Amir is delighted and why not! Pakistan back on top.

10.45 pm: What a knock, a century off 75 balls for Jos Buttler!

After 44 overs, England 284/5 - Buttler 99, Ali 11

Nothing from the first three balls of the over (except for the fact that Buttler gets an inside edge on the stumps!). Moeen Ali then hits a lofted shot that just evades cover. Great fielding from Wahab keeps it to three runs. Ten runs off the over without a boundary! Top stuff from England. Buttler moves on to 99*.

England need 65 off the last 6 overs.

After 43 overs, England 274/5 - Buttler 93, Ali 7

This is a good little phase for Pakistan. Two overs without a boundary. 11 runs from the last 12 balls (15 from the last 18). Five runs conceded by Hassan and then six by Shadab. Required rate goes above 10. England still won’t panic though.

Hassan will continue at the other end. England need 75 off 42 balls.

After 41 overs, England 263/5 - Buttler 85, Ali 4

MISSED CHANCE! Moeen Ali is completely beaten by a wrong ‘un from Shadab Khan. There is an outside edge and Ali is also out of the crease. Catch and stumping both missed by Sarfaraz. What a reprieve.

After 40 overs, England 258/5 - Buttler 82, Ali 2

We are into the final 10 as we get our first our proper thriller of the tournament. (Sorry South Africa, yesterday does not really count.) Buttler beats the fielder at extra cover in that Wahab Riaz over for another stupendous boundary.

England made 71/1 in that 10-over phase. Good stuff.

After 39 overs, England 248/5 - Buttler 75, Ali 0

BIG WICKET FOR PAKISTAN! There is life in this run-chase still for the underdogs. Shadab Khan removes centurion Joe Root. The ball is fired in, an attempted square drive from Root goes too fine and is caught at third man.

Two runs and one wicket for Shadab. What an over.

After 38 overs, England 246/4 - Root 105, Buttler 75

CENTURY FOR ROOOOOOOOT! That now-iconic chant rings around Trent Bridge as Joe Root becomes the first man to score a century at this World Cup. That’s his 15th of the career. And he is all smiles. What a classy innings. What a player. Celebrates getting there with a brilliant through offside for four.

After 38 overs, England 236/4 - Root 99, Buttler 72

Five runs from Amir’s over as Root and Buttler play it simple.

Root moves on to 99... England need 113 from 78 balls.

After 36 overs, England 231/4 - Root 97, Buttler 69

A decent over from Hassan Ali is spoiled by a boundary off the last ball. Just erring in line the bowler, and Root clips it to fine leg. Superb placement. The crowd goes “Rooooooooot!”

Meanwhile, the 100-run partnership comes up for England. Extending a stat that we found on Cricinfo in the first match, this is the first time in history that England have two century partnerships at one edition of the World Cup.

After 35 overs, England 221/4 - Root 91, Buttler 66

Oh, Jos Buttler! What a batsman. He is catching up with Root at the moment. After beating his outside off the first delivery, Mohammad Amir is hit for two ridiculously good fours by Buttler: a punch through point and then a lofted shot over mid-off.

After 34 overs, England 211/4 - Root 90, Buttler 57

Another good second spell over from Hassan Ali as he concedes just five in that over.

After 33 overs, England 201/4 - Root 86, Buttler 55

Hassan Ali, after an expensive first spell has conceded just 2 runs in his comeback over. His remaining five overs could well decide how this match goes. Shadad then concedes four singles in his over.

200 comes up for England and they are looking in good shape now for the run-chase.

After 31 overs, England 199/4 - Root 82, Buttler 53

FIFTY FOR BUTTLER! And he brings it up off just 34 balls with a six over midwicket. Did not seem like he hit it quite well but that cleared the fielder at midiwicket just about. Asif Ali seems to have injured his shoulder there.

But let’s take a moment to appreciate what a beast Buttler is! Has completely changed the match around since coming to the crease. Feels like Pakistan are on the back-foot.

After 30 overs, England 187/4 - Root 79, Buttler 44

Two boundaries in that over and both streaky for Buttler. After the first edge, Sarfaraz has a slip in and this time the ball evades the fielder and still rolls down for four. Unlucky there, Pakistan and Wahab.

England are ahead of Pakistan at this stage but have lost a couple of wickets extra.

After 29 overs, England 176/4 - Root 78, Buttler 34

REVIEW LOST: That looked good in real time: a strong LBW appeal by Shadab and Co against Buttler. But DRS says the ball was bouncing higher than the stumps. (One review per team in ODIs, is a joke really. We are leaving this here, for the record).

After 28 overs, England 172/4 - Root 76, Buttler 32

You can’t blame Sarfaraz for not having a slip against Root this late into the innings but if he did, the England No 3 would have been back in the hut. Wahab induces the outside edge but it goes for four.

After 27 overs, England 166/4 - Root 71, Buttler 31

Another over, another superb Buttler four. Nothing innovative about this cover drive off Shadab: just a delightful, textbook shot for four. Required rate has come down below 8 for now. The Buttler impact.

After 26 overs, England 156/4 - Root 69, Buttler 23

Wahab Riaz comes back into the attack, as you would expect with Sarfaraz going back into his big guns. And Buttler plays a remarkable shot (for the average cricketer, routine for him): scooping it over the keeper for four. 150 comes up for England as they rebuild some momentum.

After 25 overs, England 148/4 - Root 67, Buttler 17

BIG OVER FOR ENGLAND! If Sarfaraz had an idea that he could persist with his part-timers, that over must have put paid to those plans. Two sixes in that over: slightly short from Hafeez, Buttler latches on to it and pulls it over midwicket. Then, last ball, full from Hafeez: Joe Root dances down and hits one over long on. Much needed over for England.

After 24 overs, England 133/4 - Root 60, Buttler 9

Meanwhile, Joe Root is going about his business is calm fashion. A short ball from Hafeeez, he pounces on it and creams a boundary through square leg. Sarfaraz is not pleased with that.

Off Malik’s third over, Buttler hits the first ball for four: a delightful lofted shot over cover.

The fifth bowler quota has now been almost met: just one over to go. Hafeez continues.

Correction: After 22 overs, England 120/4 - Root 54: STOKES IS GONE!

SHOAIB MALIK STRIKES! The hero of the first match is back in the pavilion. Slightly short from Malik, with the arm... a thick outside edge from Stokes and Sarfaraz takes a sharp catch. What a job the part-timers are going for Pakistan!

After 21 overs, England 118/3 - Root 54, Stokes 13

Malik and Hafeez bowling in tandem and there is a pressure building on England, thanks to the scoreboard and the occasion. Something’s gotta give at this point, you feel. England cannot just play out the part-timers here.

After 19 overs, England 111/3 - Root 50, Stokes 10

FIFTY FOR ROOOOOOOOT! That early dropped chance apart, Root has looked in control. Brings up is half century off 47 balls. England need him to be batting deep.

Meanwhile, Hafeez stopped in his run-up and gave a look to Stokes at the non-striker’s end. A Mankad warning?! Stokes looked to be in.

After 18 overs, England 108/3 - Root 48, Stokes 9

Good over for England as Hasan Ali, despite seemingly the get ball to dart in the air. Root put away one more through point and then Stokes finished the over with the shot of the innings: a straight drive. There was a huge LBW appeal in that over against Root but Pakistan don’t review: there was the faintest of inside edges.

After 17 overs, England 96/3 - Root 41, Stokes 5

Big partnership this for England. If Root and Stokes don’t manage a sizeable partnership, England are in deep trouble. The required rate is now up to 7.5. Just five singles off Hafeez’s over.

After 16 overs, England 91/3 - Hafeez strikes!

BIG WICKET! Captain Morgan, the man who has anchored many a big total for England, is cleaned up. Hafeez is having a dream outing at Trent Bridge. Hafeez sends one quicker, with the arm. Morgan is late to the shot. Hafeez twirls his moustache and why not.

After 15 overs, England 85/2 (Root 35, Morgan 9) - DRINKS

Early-ish drinks break because of the delay in play earlier. Hassan Ali concedes a boundary in that over but that was entirely down to Root’s class. Good ball on the fourth stump channel, cut superbly behind point for four.

After 14 overs, England 80/2 (Root 30, Morgan 9)

Mohammed Hafeez comes on to bowl and concedes 7 in his first over, including a rank short ball on pads that Root puts away.

This is a crucial phase. Remember, Pakistan are playing just four frontline bowlers and Hafeez, Malik have to chip in with 10 among them. England will target these two you would like.

After 12 overs, England 73/2 (Root 24, Morgan 8)

Wahab Riaz bowls a 4-run over, continuing to work up some good pace from short of length. Hassan Ali, who is desperately out of form, comes on from the other end and Morgan helps himself to a streaky boundary behind the ‘keeper’s heads.

A break in play as Root needs physio attention... for some issue with his vision, it would seem.

After 10 overs, England 62/2 - end of a fascinating powerplay

Pakistan bowled bad balls. Pakistan bowled great balls. England played some great shots. England played some poor shots. Pakistan dropped a big chance. That was one fascinating powerplay! And at this point, you would have to say Pakistan are on top.

After 9 overs, England 60/2 (Root 19) - BAIRSTOW GONE!

Oh, this is superb from Wahab Riaz. After a poor ball earlier in the over where he fed Bairstow with a full, wide ball that was hit for four, but Wahab comes back in style. First a short of length ball that catches Bairstow by surprise, then he guides one to Sarfaraz behind the wicket. The extra pace and bounce did him in. And the Pakistan players are all fired up!

After 8 overs, England 54/1 (Bairstow 26, Root 19)

Fifty comes up in the 8th over for England as Root plays a delightful square drive off Amir. That’s the shot he wanted to play when he got the outside edge.

After 7 overs, England 46/1 (Bairstow 25, Root 12)

Wahab Riaz comes into bowl and concedes two boundaries: one a poor ball on Bairstow’s pads, flicked away. Then an inside edge misses the stumps, finds the boundary. Despite the early wicket and Root’s reprieve, England are off to a flier.

After 6 overs, England 37/1 (Bairstow 17, Root 11)

DROPPED! Big, bis miss for Pakistan! Mohammad Amir angles one across Joe Root, the right-hander attempts a big on-the-rise drive through cover and the outside edge is put down by Babar Azam at wide first slip. That travelled alright but should have been taken. Typical Pakistan, to drop key chances in the field. Will they live to rue this one? Root was stuck on the crease when he played that.

An interesting third umpire call earlier in the over as Hasan Ali’s diving effort in third man was deemed to have been a boundary when it seemed alright on replies.

After 5 overs, England 28/1 (Bairstow 14, Root 5)

SIX! Beauty from leg-spinner Shadab Khan to beat Jonny Bairstow’s outside edge. The right-handed opener responds by thumping it two balls later straight back for a maximum. The ball needs to be changed. That was some shot.

After 4 overs, England 22/1 (Bairstow 8, Root 5)

Atherton cannot quite over the fact that Amir has not swung the ball after the peach that was his first ball. (Bairstow’s off-stump survived by an inch there!) Amir tries to mix up his pace early as well. But that is another good over from Amir, who is surely now in the best rhythm he has been in for a while.

After 3 overs, England 18/1 (Bairstow 5, Root 5) - Roy gone!

BREAKTHROUGH! Shadab fires one in full and quick, Roy misses the sweep and is trapped in front and England lose their review too.

For the second match running, an England opener falls to leg spin! This is going to be the trend of this World Cup, you think. And what a horrible review to take as well from Roy. If he did not hit it, that was absolutely plumb. A terrible outing for Jason Roy today, all things considered.

Root gets going with a boundary behind point.

After 2 overs, Pakistan 12/0 (Roy 8, Bairstow 4)

What should not surprise anyone is that England are dealing in boundaries early on in the powerplay. What should surprise though, is the swing that Amir got off his first ball. That was reminiscent of the in-dippers he bowled against India in the CT2017 final. The over ends with a slap past cover by Bairstow, uppish and evading the fielder at cover. Nervy start, it must be said by the England opener.

After 1 over, Pakistan 8/0 (Roy 8, Bairstow 0)

Not the best of starts by Shadad as he drops a couple short and Roy is quick to pounce. One cut away, one pulled as he helps himself to a couple of boundaries. That will help Roy with getting his confidence going after an ordinary day in the field.

7.20 pm: Much like South Africa in the opener, Pakistan go for a leg-spinner first up against Roy and Bairstow.

7.05 pm: Innings break

What a turnaround for Pakistan: from their 2nd lowest score at World Cups to their second highest.

Any other team, any other venue you would have said Pakistan are the favourites at this point. But this is England at Trent Bridge where they have scored runs for fun. They chased 340 down as recently as May against this very side.

But this is the World Cup. This is serious pressure. Can Roy, Buttler and Co deliver?

6.55 pm:

Top performers so far:

Babar Azam: 63 off 66
Mohammad Hafeez: 84 off 62
Sarfaraz Ahmed: 55 off 44
Chris Woakes: 3/71 from 8 (plus a record 4 catches)
Moeen Ali: 3/50 from 10

Pakistan’s top-scorer Mohammed Hafeez: “Self belief is the key. We are good enough to handle anything. The pitch is not the same (as the previous matches), the ball is holding on a bit for spinners. Our score is a very good one to defend”

After 50 overs, Pakistan 348/8 - good finish by Shadab!

Shadab Khan hits the first ball he faces for a four over the keeper’s head. Jason Roy’s day in the field remains ordinary as he gifts an extra run off an overthrow. Shadab then finishes with a four down the ground (because he was brought back on strike with that overthrow! Small margins!) Impressive from Pakistan! England need a record chase (in World Cup history) to win this match.

After 49.1 overs, Pakistan 337/8 - Malik out!

No late flourish from the experienced Malik, as he skies a full ball. Morgan takes a good high catch (the ball seemed to swerve for a while). Woakes has his third wicket.

After 49 overs, Pakistan 337/7

Not quite a good day for Archer after that superb effort in the first match. He finishes with 0/79 in his 10 overs as Hassan Ali hits the last ball of the six! Spoils what would have been a good over otherwise, with clever change of pace. Nine from it.

After 48 overs, Pakistan 327/7 - Two in an over for Woakes!

Four and out for Wahab Riaz. A bad ball from Woakes on Wahab’s pads, that is put away for four. Woakes comes back and takes the wicket to have the last laugh. Root takes a high catch.

After 47.2 overs, Pakistan 319/6 - Fourth catch for Woakes!

Sarfaraz’s fighting innings comes to an end as Pakistan lose both their well-set batsmen in quick time. Woakes fires in a short ball and the Pakistan captain gets himself into a tangle. Woakes takes a running catch in his follow through. What a day he has had on the field.

After 47 overs, Pakistan 317/5: Sarfaraz 53, Shoaib 4 - ASIF ALI GONE!

Mark Wood gets his second wicket as Asif Ali departs for 14 off 11 after cutting it straight to Jonny Bairstow at the boundary. Important wicket for England. The experienced Shoaib Malik walks in.

“Although Sarfaraz has reached fifty, it feels as though he has not middled most of the balls,” says Wasim on air. Yes, it has been an odd but effective innings.

Wood meanwhile bowls another brilliant over to finish his spell with 2/53: applause from the crowd!

After 46 overs, Pakistan 311/4: Asif 14, Sarfaraz 51 - FIFTY FOR CAPTAIN!

300 comes up for Pakistan in the 46th over. With no fielder in the circle, on the leg side Pakistan captain mishits a couple but the ball falls safely. Then the over ends poorly for Archer. A four over mid off for Sarfaraz and then a ridiculous overthrow for a four off the last ball. England’s fielding today has blown hot and cold.

After 45 overs, Pakistan 297/4: Asif 13, Sarfaraz 38

Mark Wood has more than justified his selection you would think. Excellent line to bowl, mixing up his pace and length outside off stump. Just five runs in that over.

After 44 overs, Pakistan 292/4: Asif 9, Sarfaraz 37

SHOT, ASIF ALI! A slower bouncer from Archer and Asif middles an upper cut to send it soaring over point boundary. Such a difficult shot when there is no place to work with. This is what Asif Ali can do. Archer comes back with a top bouncer. But a great over for Pakistan nonetheless.

After 43 overs, Pakistan 279/4 - Hafeez departs!

The over started so well for Pakistan, with Hafeez chipping (yes, you can do that at Trent Bridge) one over square leg for six. But it is Wood who has the last laugh and much like Imam’s dismissal, it was a superbly timed shot that failed to beat Woakes at long off. Good over for England as Wood continues to impress.

After 42 overs, Pakistan 271/3 (Hafeez 77, Sarfaraz 33)

With a leg-side heavy field, Hafeez reads a slower, full ball from Archer early and lofts it over cover for four. That results in a short-ball barrage from Archer and helps him keep the runs down for the rest of the over.

After 41 overs, Pakistan 265/3 (Hafeez 72, Sarfaraz 32)

Right, Pakistan are off to a solid start in the final powerplay! Stokes bowls one full and Sarfaraz lofts it over mid-on (why is that fielder inside the circle, still?). Stokes goes short and then Hafeez pulls one behind square. Two useful boundaries. Add a couple of doubles in that over and the result: a frustrated Ben Stokes.

In the last over, the 50-partnership came up. England struggling a bit at the moment and they go to Archer for a breakthrough.

After 40 overs, Pakistan 252/3 (Hafeez 64, Sarfaraz 27) — into the last 10!

Another boundary for Sarfaraz: not the most elegant, but heaves one over long on off Woakes. Late in the over, makes it a good one for Pakistan.

And 76/1 is Pakistan’s tally between 30-40. That’s very good, all said and done.

After 39 overs, Pakistan 243/3: Hafeez 62, Sarfaraz 20

A superb cover drive by Hafeez to welcome Stokes back into the attack. (And again, not the best of fielding efforts.) Stokes comes back well with a couple of slower balls: one a knuckle ball yorker! That’s a tough skill. Eight from the over is not bad for Stokes after conceding a four off the first ball.

After 38 overs, Pakistan 235/3: Hafeez 55, Sarfaraz 19

Sarfaraz has come under criticism lately for his inability to hit sixes at the end of the innings but he is showing some intent already today. One mishit slog off Woakes, goes for four. One well-hit slog, fielded well by Bairstow at the deep.

After 37 overs, Pakistan 228/3: Hafeez 54, Sarfaraz 12

A couple of good overs for England with the ball (5 runs off Wood’s over, 3 off Ali’s) but the fielding has slipped a bit. Quite a few miscollected balls: Rameez Raja on air thinks its contagious! But handbrake at the wrong time for Pakistan’s batting.

Moeen Ali, meanwhile, earns a good round of applause as he returns to form with the ball: 3/50 in his 10 overs. Superb effort at Trent Bridge of all places.

After 35 overs, Pakistan 218/3

Sarfaraz scores a boundary off the last ball of Moeen’s over to get going. He needs to play a good hand for Pakistan, being one of the players who can score at a quick rate in that Pakistan middle and lower-middle order.

England, meanwhile, miss another run-out chance when there was a mix-up. A mixed day in the field for the England players.

Correction: Hafeez’s fifty came up in 39 balls.

After 34 overs, Pakistan 210/3: Fifty for Hafeez!

The man they call the Professor had a big reprieve early in his innings but he has gone on to make the most of it, a 39-ball fifty. He needs to carry on batting late for Pakistan. Two boundaries in that over off Wood, the second one bringing up Hafeez’s landmark.

After 33 overs, Pakistan 200/3: Moeen Ali strikes again!

As it often does, a wicket falls after the drinks break. Big breakthrough for England as Moeen Ali gets his 3rd wicket as he returns to the attack. And it’s the big one of Babar Azam. Another fine catch from Chris Woakes in the deep. Azam departs for 63 off 66.

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed walks in.

5.23 pm: Interesting input on Pakistan’s approach today so far.

After 32 overs, Pakistan 196/2: Azam 63, Hafeez 38

Seven runs in that Mark Wood over as Pakistan head into the drinks break with 8 wickets in tact and the platform set for a big total.

After 31 overs, Pakistan 189/2: Azam 62, Hafeez 33

BIG OVER: Well, well. If Pakistan can play like this, 350-plus is achievable. Hafeez takes on Rashid, first a superb lofted shot straight as an arrow off a full ball. Then, Rashid shortens his length which Hafeez saw coming and he pulls it wide off long on. Clever batting. Roy’s dropped chance is looking to be a costly miss.

After 30 overs, Pakistan 176/2: Azam 61, Hafeez 21

No boundaries in the last couple of overs as Rashid and Archer bowl two tight overs. Excellent fielding from Bairstow in Rashid’s over to prevent a four at deep cover. Archer meanwhile is working up some serious pace and hurrying the batsmen but no wicket to show for that.

The old double-the-score-from-30-overs trope will help Pakistan cross 350 but do they have the firepower lower down the order to achieve that? Let’s see.

After 28 overs, Pakistan 165/2: Azam 52, Hafeez 19

FIFTY FOR BABAR AZAM! Pakistan’s best batsman Babar Azam is looking in fine touch. A near-chanceless innings this one. England go back to Archer to provide a breakthrough and he beats Hafeez a couple of times. Such a fine rhythm he is in at the moment every time he comes in to have a bowl.

After 27 overs, Pakistan 160/2: Azam 49, Hafeez 18

BIG OVER FOR PAKISTAN: After a good over from Stokes, Babar Azam takes on Rashid in some style! Four, six and to start the over: both saw great use of the feet against Rashid’s spin. The over finished with a slog-pull past long on. Great use of the feet and hands. Babar moves on to 49.

After 25 overs, Pakistan 141/2: Azam 31, Hafeez 17

Dropped! Hafeez mistimes one from Rashid and the ball goes high up. Roy gets under it nicely at long-off but the ball pops right out. His shades were resting on his forehead with the sun out. But even then, you would expect a fielder of Roy’s stature to take that catch. What a let off for Hafeez and Pakistan.

After 24 overs, Pakistan 134/2: Azam 29, Hafeez 14

Good over from Stokes, just two runs added to Pakistan’s total. Hussain makes a good point on air: Do Pakistan play the conditions here (and look for a 320-330 total) or play the opponents (and look for 350-plus)? They would do well not to take it easy in the middle overs.

After 23 overs, Pakistan 132/2: Azam 28, Hafeez 14

Rashid starts off with an over where he bowled a few inches shorter than he would have liked. Perhaps just trying to get his groove before tossing up and trying to exploit the breeze for drift. Four singles from that over which ended with Hafeez chipping the ball to midwicket.

After 22 overs, Pakistan 128/2: Azam 26, Hafeez 12

Hafeez comes out with positive intent. A short ball from Stokes, but the angle makes it easier for Hafeez to roll his wrists and play it all along the ground for four behind square. 9 runs from that over.

And as we expected, Rashid comes on to bowl.

After 21 overs, Pakistan 119/2: Azam 24, Hafeez 5

Hafeez comes in and starts off playing a lovely lofted shot down the ground off Ali. England will be happy with this response and Rashid will soon come into play for sure with two right-handers at the crease.

After 20.1 overs, Pakistan 111/2: WHAT A CATCH!

Imam-ul-haq must have thought he played a near-perfect shot when he stepped down and hit an elegant lofted off drive but Chris Woakes covered great ground at long-off and took a superb diving catch. What a fielding unit this is! Stokes that day, Woakes today.

After 20 overs, Pakistan 111/1: (Imam 44, Azam 21)

Just three runs off Stokes’ second over that almost ended with Azam chopping one on to the stump. England conceded just 42 runs in that 10-over phase and have brought things back nicely.

After 19 overs, Pakistan 108/1: (Imam 43, Azam 20)

A lovely shot by Azam over the extra cover off Moeen Ali to spoil a good over. Pakistan’s main man is looking in good touch again.

After 18 overs, Pakistan 100/1: (Imam 41, Azam 14)

Steady first over from Stokes, operating a short-of-length area. Five runs off it as 100 comes up for Pakistan. They have slowed down after the powerplay but this is still a good start.

After 17 overs, Pakistan 95/1: (Imam 39, Azam 11)

Five runs from Ali’s over, as there is more hint of turn. Expect Adil Rashid to play a part soon with a right-hander at the crease.

Time for Ben Stokes now...

After 16 overs, Pakistan 90/1 - DRINKS

A series of bouncers from Wood to new batsman Babar Azam: first is mishit, then one beats him and the third ball is met well, pulled through the gap in the deep for four. Good contest, this.

Time for a drinks break.

After 15 overs, Pakistan 85/1 - WICKET, Zaman’s gone!

England finally have the breakthrough! Moeen Ali bowls a lovely off-break to beat Fakhar Zaman’s bat: tossed up, drifted, gripped and moved away. Jos Buttler whips off the bails quickly with the left-handed opener’s leg inches out. Zaman departs for 36 off 40.

Michael Artherton on air talks about how Buttler has been working hard on his glove work because there have been a few mishaps from him behind the stumps recently. That really was a sharp stumping, only a fraction of seconds between out and not out.

After 14 overs, Pakistan 82/0 (Imam 37, Zaman 36)

Another superb over from Wood, who is justifying his selection big time here so far. A big let off for Pakistan too as Zaman ran halfway down the pitch in search of a quick single but Morgan went for the wrong end! The captain is a bit miffed.

After 13 overs, Pakistan 79/0 (Imam 36, Zaman 35)

Good little phase for England this. Another good over from Mark Wood. The right-arm pacer strays in line a bit but gives away just three singles in his second over. Moeen Ali then concedes three from his over too.

As tight as it has been, England must be desperate to break this opening partnership by Pakistan.

After 11 overs, Pakistan 73/0 (Imam 32, Zaman 33)

Steady from the openers now as they work the gaps to get four singles off Moeen Ali’s second over. There is no sign of any grip and turn just yet although there were suggestions there will be help for spinners here.

After 10 overs, Pakistan 69/0 (Imam 30, Zaman 31)

A top first over from Mark Wood as Pakistan finish the powerplay on 69/1. Just two singles conceded by Wood, as he gets the angle from over the wicket spot on. Good short balls to Imam to finish up the power.

England can spread the field out now, can Pakistan keep up their scoring rate?

After 9 overs, Pakistan 67/0 (Imam 29, Zaman 30)

Moeen Ali comes into the attack and bowls a steady over but for a gift on Imam’s pads. Glanced away fine for four.

Mark Wood from the other end... as they show footage of Pakistan training hard against bouncers in the nets in preparation for this match. The efforts have showed so far.

After 8 overs, Pakistan 62/0 (Imam 24, Zaman 30)

ENGLAND LOSE REVIEW: Eventful over from Archer but that was a very poor decision from Morgan and Co to review fore LBW against Imam when two sounds were heard even in real time. Massive inside edge. Archer bowls a few big bouncers but they fly too high and called wides. The over started with another boundary for Imam, that brought up the fifty partnership. Bit of desperation seeping into England’s bowling at the moment.

After 7 overs, Pakistan 49/0 (Imam 18, Zaman 26)

Another big over for Pakistan. Zaman hits two fours off the first two balls off Woakes’ over: a drive through covers and then a scoop over the leg slip fielder. Audacious!

After 6 overs, Pakistan 37/0 (Imam 15, Zaman 17)

Bouncer from Archer to Zaman, pulled away for four! Pakistan trying to make an early statement here, not buckling down to bouncers. Archer does surprise Zaman with a nasty ball later in the over, the edge loops over the slip region.

After 5 overs, Pakistan 31/0 (Imam 14, Zaman 12)

What a shot! After a series of dot balls, Imam-ul-Haq decides to cut loose by stepping down the pitch against Chris Woakes and smashing it straight back for a six. He then gets an outside edge for four, where there a third slip a while back. Good over for Pakistan.

After 4 overs, Pakistan 22/0 (Imam 3, Zaman 12)

Zaman dispatches a poor ball from Archer for four through midwicket but the bowler responds very well. The bouncer barrage begins for Imam as England place a leg slip.

After 3 overs, Pakistan 14/0 (Imam 2, Zaman 8)

After conceding two boundaries in his first over, Chris Woakes comes back to bowl a maiden. Imam-ul-Haq seems to be struggling, the left-hander flashes and misses a couple of times. Interestingly, no bouncer from England yet.

After 2 overs, Pakistan 14/0 (Imam 2, Zaman 8)

Just one run off the bat in that over by Archer as he beats Zaman with a couple of beauties. Searing up from just short of good length and beating Zaman for pace. A boundary did come when Archer erred in line: four leg-byes down the fine leg.

After 1 over, Pakistan 9/0 (Imam 1, Zaman 8)

Top start for Pakistan! Fakhar Zaman is up and running with 2 boundaries. The first was helped by a misfield at point but the second one was timed perfectly in the same region. Chris Woakes struggles to get his line right in the first over.

3.01 pm: The countdown begins. Chris Woakes will start off for England. Imam and Zaman in the middle. Here we go.

2.54 pm: “You can be called mercurial or inconsistent for so long, they have now been consistent in losing,” says Nasser Hussain about Pakistan’s 11-match losing streak.

Time for national anthems...

2.51 pm: A throwback to the World Cup final of 1992, when Pakistan took on England...

Among the legendary spells in the history of cricket, is one by the finest left-arm seamer to ever play the game, a man who will stroll into any and every all-time XI. Wasim Akram’s 3/49 off 10 overs in the 1992 final against England will never be forgotten by Pakistani fans, especially his second and third wicket in his return spell.

The ‘Sultan of Swing’ was on a hat-trick on March 25, 1992, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and how he got there had left the cricketing world in awe.

Reverse swing is an art that fascinates people to date, Akram is one of the original exponents of it. In the 1992 World Cup final, he showed the full range of what he could do with a cricket ball in hand.

READ MORE ABOUT THAT HERE.

2.44 pm: Pakistan have made two changes to strengthen their batting after the shocker against West Indies. But without Imad Wasim, is their bowling good enough to stop the England juggernaut?

2.40 pm: TEAM NEWS

England playing XI: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (w), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Pakistan playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (w/c), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir.

2.38 pm: Pakistan captain Sarfaraz says he would have fielded first as well, and adds that he is confident that the problem against the short ball the other day in Nottingham was just a one-off. Remember, Pakistan did bat well in the series whitewash against England recently. At Trent Bridge, they made 340 and England chased it down.

2.33 pm: England win the toss and will be bowling first. Mark Wood comes in for Liam Plunkett, for the extra pace he offers.

2.32 pm: The captains are walking out for the toss...

2.29 pm: “We didn’t handle the short ball really well and we practised a lot, and we know it will come,” Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood told reporters at Trent Bridge on Sunday.

“When teams come from the subcontinent, the other teams will use those sort of tactics,” added Mahmood, a former all-rounder with English counties Surrey and Kent. “All the teams will bowl short against us so we are practising, and we’ve done it before, so I think we need to move on and concentrate on the next game.”

2.25 pm: Pakistan have now lost their last 11 completed one-day internationals – a run that includes a 4-0 series defeat by England last month.

No side in world cricket, however, has the ability to transform their fortunes quite as quickly as Pakistan – a point they proved during the 2017 Champions Trophy when, after an abject start, they beat hosts England on the way to winning the tournament. Can they begin their resurgence at Trent Bridge?

2.22 pm: “It’s a batting paradise, it’s a belter. Not the same as the pitch Pakistan played against West Indies, this is harder and dry. Expect the team winning toss to bat first,” says Wasim Akram at the pitch report.

2.15 pm: Before you go into more about this match, here’s some reading for you on India’s wait for their first match.

India’s first game, against South Africa at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, isn’t until June 5, the seventh day of the tournament. They had understood that by the time of their opening match, five of the other teams – hosts England, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan – would all have got two games out of the way.

What have they been upto? Is this good or bad for the men in blue? R Kaushik has more from England here.

2.10 pm: Hello all and welcome to The Field’s live blog of match #6 at the 2019 World Cup. The favourites and hosts England take on Pakistan... at Trent Bridge. Yes, that’s right. Brace yourselves, folks. This could be a run-fest, especially if England bat first.

The ground is renowned as a batsman’s paradise, with England having twice set the world record for the highest score in a one-day international –- 444/3 against Pakistan in 2016 and last year’s 481/6 against Australia – on the very pitch that will be used for Monday’s match at Trent Bridge.

But Pakistan’s batsmen had anything but an easy ride in Nottingham as they succumbed to a bouncer barrage from the West Indies that saw them slump to 105 all out and a comprehensive defeat in their opening match of the World Cup on Friday.

England, who launched their quest to win the World Cup for the first time with a 104-run rout of South Africa at the Oval in which fast bowler Jofra Archer starred may now, in the light of Pakistan’s problems against short-pitched bowling, unleash Mark Wood in partnership with the Sussex speedster.

For Pakistan, a fightback cannot happen sooner after the embarrassment against West Indies, when they registered their 2nd lowest total in World Cup history.