Paceman Steven Finn took a career-best 4-34 and Alastair Cook hit his highest score to help England beat Pakistan in a 130-run win in the first day-night international on Monday.
Finn, reduced to serving the drinks during England’s 3-0 defeat in the preceding Test series, destroyed Pakistan’s batting with four early wickets off 29 balls to dismiss them for 130 in 35 overs after Cook’s 137 helped his team to 7-260.
The win gives England a 1-0 lead in the four-match series after a disastrous Test campaign – their first as world No.1 in the five-day format.
Pakistan looked all at sea against Finn who used the wind to move the ball.
The 22-year-old lanky paceman, who showed his frustration at being sidelined in the Tests, trapped Mohammad Hafeez (five) and Asad Shafiq (nought) off successive balls in his second over.
He then had Younis Khan (15) in his fourth and Imran Farhat (10) in his fifth to leave Pakistan tottering at 4-40.
Left-arm spinner Samit Patel then further shook Pakistan with the wickets of Misbah-ul Haq (14), Shoaib Malik (seven) and Shahid Afridi (28) to finish with 3-26. Graeme Swann, who took 2-19, had Umar Akmal (22) and Umar Gul (two).
Cook said setting a challenging total was important.
“It was really a good day for us,” said the 27-year-old left-hander.
“We put together a good total and then Finn and others bowled very well to make it tough for Pakistan.”
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq blamed poor batting.
“Batting has been a bit of concern for us. I think 261 was not a big target on this pitch and we have to show discipline in the remaining matches. Cook, I think led by example,” said Misbah.
Earlier Cook, whose previous best of 119 came against Sri Lanka at Lord’s last year, hit 14 boundaries during a fluent 142-ball innings and shaped well against Pakistan’s spin-dominated attack.
Given out leg-before off Mohammad Hafeez when 30, Cook successfully reviewed Australian umpire Simon Taufel’s decision and carried the batting until the 47th over when he was finally bowled by Saeed Ajmal who finished with a career-best 5-43.
Cook added an invaluable 131 runs for the third wicket with Ravi Bopara (50) to revive England after they lost two wickets in the 13th over.
England’s ploy to open with Kevin Pietersen, who managed just 67 runs in the Tests, worked well as Cook and his new partner put on 57 by the 13th over as Pakistan opened the bowling with paceman Gul and Hafeez.
Cook hit Afridi for two fours to enter the 90s and then cover drove Ajmal to the boundary to reach the three-figure mark off 110 deliveries.
The second match will be played here on Wednesday while the last two will be played in Dubai on February 18 and 21.
