Arafat Minhas Stars with Record All-Rounder Display as Pakistan Dominates England in ODI Tri-Series

Pakistan continued their impressive form in white-ball cricket, securing a commanding 87-run victory over England in the second match of the ODI tri-series held in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The triumph was spearheaded by Arafat Minhas, who delivered a historic all-round performance, marking Pakistan's second win in the tournament.

Batting first, the hosts posted a formidable total of 302-9, with a balanced contribution from their batting lineup. Hasan Nawaz, a standout performer from the Asian Games final, top-scored with 79, closely followed by Minhas who contributed a crucial 59. Their efforts were instrumental in Pakistan crossing the 300-run mark.

In response, England's openers, Ben Duckett and Tom Banton, provided a strong start, forging a 91-run partnership. At 165-3 in the 29th over, England appeared to be in a favorable position. However, left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas dramatically shifted the momentum of the game.

Minhas dismantled England's middle and lower order on a responsive pitch, claiming figures of 6-40 and bundling out the visitors for 215. This exceptional performance marks one of the finest all-round displays in the history of ODI cricket. Minhas etched his name in the record books, becoming only the seventh player to achieve both a score of 50 or more runs and take six or more wickets in the same ODI match.

Minhas had previously showcased his talent during the Pakistan Super League, playing for Multan Sultans, where he took nine wickets in 10 matches with an economy rate under nine. While his younger brother, the flamboyant opener Sameer, has garnered significant attention, the 21-year-old Arafat possesses a more complete and versatile game, positioning him as a ready replacement for players like Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan.

Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi lauded Minhas as a complete cricketer. "[Minhas] is a very good talent. He is not just a bowling all-rounder or a batting all-rounder; he is a proper all-rounder. I think the way he started his innings in batting and then delivered in bowling, it's good for us. Hopefully he will deliver in many more games," stated the left-arm seamer.

This victory adds to Pakistan's strong year in ODIs, having won five out of eight matches. They have also performed well in T20 Internationals, winning 11 out of 17. Despite not securing major ICC tournament titles in recent years, the emerging talent within the squad suggests they are strong contenders for future events, including the 2027 ODI World Cup, the 2028 T20 World Cup, and the LA Olympics.

"As a team, we did some good things, but we need to improve. Our preparation for the World Cup, how we built this team, the way our fast bowlers bowled, and then Arafat as well … I think it was a good sign for us," Afridi added. Pakistan's recent success follows their T20 series win against Sri Lanka and their commendable performance at the Asian Games, where they narrowly lost the final to India.